Editor’s note: This article is adapted from a conversation with Amrit Ahluwalia on the Illumination Podcast. To hear the full discussion, listen to the episode here.
For decades, higher education has centered its systems, services and culture around the needs of the traditional undergraduate: an 18-year-old, fresh out of high school, pursuing a full-time, residential degree experience. But today, the fastest-growing segment of learners looks very different. Adults balancing jobs, caregiving and community responsibilities are returning to education in pursuit of new skills, career advancement or personal growth. For these learners, access alone is no longer enough—belonging must take center stage.
Why Belonging Matters More Than Access
Expanding access has long been higher education’s rallying cry, and rightfully so. Flexible modalities, alternative credentials and lower barriers to entry have opened doors for millions of learners. But access, by itself, is a deficit-oriented approach—it identifies a gap and seeks to fill it. Belonging, on the other hand, is future-focused. It positions institutions to not just admit learners but to sustain them, support them and ultimately re-engage them across their entire educational journeys.
When institutions prioritize belonging, they move beyond simply opening doors. They create systems that encourage persistence, success and lifelong affinity with the institution. This shift redefines the student relationship: not a one-time transaction, but a lifelong partnership where learners return repeatedly to upskill, reskill and grow.
Rethinking Orientation for Adult Learners
Orientation is the first opportunity to establish belonging. Yet, most onboarding experiences still mirror those built for teenagers stepping onto campus for the first time—complete with icebreaker games and frosh-week events. For a working parent or mid-career professional, this approach misses the mark.
Adult learners need orientation that acknowledges their reality: competing priorities, limited time and pragmatic goals. Relevance is paramount. Every touchpoint must justify the investment of their time and attention. That means streamlining communications, offering information in accessible formats and providing clear, actionable guidance.
Institutions that excel in this space build multi-layered orientation ecosystems. They pair concise digital communications with informative websites and targeted in-person or virtual sessions. This scaffolding ensures learners receive what they need when they need it, without overwhelming them.
Community as a Driver of Success
While efficiency and relevance are critical, belonging also requires community. Peer-to-peer and learner-to-instructor connections are consistently cited as drivers of persistence and satisfaction. Yet for adult learners—many of whom study part-time, remotely or sporadically—community-building is often overlooked.
It doesn’t need to be. Institutions can foster affinity through virtual networking events, employer-led fireside chats or alumni panels showcasing pathways to success. For learners on campus, small group activities, industry engagement events or even shared social experiences tied to the institution’s culture can help build lasting connections. Community is not about recreating undergraduate traditions—it’s about creating authentic spaces where learners feel seen, supported and connected.
Leveraging Employers and Alumni
Two underutilized assets can play an outsized role in cultivating belonging: employers and alumni.
Employers want strong relationships with institutions that deliver skilled, workforce-ready learners. Involving them early in the learner journey—at orientation or in early engagement events—not only highlights relevance for students but also strengthens institutional ties with regional industry partners.
Similarly, alumni from continuing and professional education programs are often overlooked. Too often, these learners complete a course or certificate and fade into obscurity, even though many have gone on to lead in their fields. By inviting alumni back to share stories, mentor new learners or participate in events, institutions create a sense of continuity and possibility that reinforces belonging.
Inclusion for All Learners
Non-credit learners represent another overlooked group. Because they often lack access to traditional campus services, their connection to the institution can feel transactional. Yet, they too deserve belonging. Virtual events, online communities and thoughtful in-person gatherings can bridge this gap, ensuring all learners—credit and non-credit alike—see themselves as part of the institutional fabric.
Geography is no barrier here. Remote learners can be connected through digital platforms, while local learners benefit from in-person activities that tie them into the broader campus culture. The key is intentionality: belonging doesn’t happen by accident; it must be designed.
Belonging as Strategy
Ultimately, belonging is not just a student experience initiative—it’s a strategic choice. Institutions that commit to belonging signal that they are not content to simply open doors. They are committed to fostering success, nurturing long-term relationships and building alumni who feel deep affinity with the institution.
In an era of shifting demographics, economic uncertainty and evolving labor market needs, institutions cannot afford to rely on transactional models. Orientation is not the end of the access conversation; it is the beginning of the belonging journey. By prioritizing relevance, community and authentic engagement, institutions can transform orientation from a one-time event into the foundation of a lifelong relationship.
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