UROP Project

The Impact of the Exploration & Discovery Living-Learning Community on Belongingness in College Students

qualitative, belonging, college, survey, focus groups
Research Mentor: Dr. Courtney Barry, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: Undergraduate Studies, Undergraduate Studies
Contact Email: cbarry@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Ms. Justina Harsche she/her/hers
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: jmh24f@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Ladanya Ramirez Surmeier
Faculty Collaborators Email: lramirez2@fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
  • Day: Monday, August 31
    Start Time: 5:00
    End Time: 6:00
    Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/8292185665
  • Day: Wednesday, September 2
    Start Time: 2:30
    End Time: 3:00
    Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/8292185665
  • Day: Thursday, September 3
    Start Time: 3:00
    End Time: 4:00
    Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/8292185665

Project Description

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of participating in the Exploration and Discovery Living Learning Community (ED-LLC) on the sense of belongingness. Data will be collected via surveys, interviews and focus groups to determine if and how belongingness changes over time, and if the ED-LLC environment impacts their sense of belongingness (e.g., structural elements, student artwork, faculty presence).

The secondary goal is to analyze whether participating in the ED-LLC has an impact on retention.

We hypothesize that students who joined the ED-LLC will experience high levels of belongingness and will register and return to FSU after their first year.

Research Tasks: The student will assist with data collection, data analysis, scheduling focus groups, assisting with focus groups, scheduling interviews and assisting with interviews.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: As a research student working on this project, the student will:
• Collaborate with faculty and staff in designing and conducting research
• Use Excel
• Learn about Qualtrics especially features such as skip/display logic
• Learn qualitative and quantitative best practices

Mentoring Philosophy

I will mentor an undergraduate student by guiding him/her/them through academic inquiry. I will foster a relationship that allows for open communication and encourages exploration. I believe an undergraduate student should have a mentor that fosters intellectual growth, increases personal empowerment, provides educational opportunities, removes barriers, and creates a supportive learning environment where failures may occur and learning persists.

Additional Information


Link to Publications