Business
Campus Connections: Building Belonging for Student Success
By Dr. Jessica Henlon | Education Contributor for Florida National News
Walking through quiet campuses this August: Purdue Fort Wayne, Indiana Tech, the University of Indianapolis, Butler, and IU Indianapolis, I found myself reflecting on what signals true student belonging. It wasn’t just the buildings or new labs. It was the career closets tucked inside student centers, the mandatory study halls for athletes, the bulletin boards overflowing with club flyers. Each of these details spoke to a more profound truth: belonging is designed into the student experience.
Preparing Students for Careers and Confidence
At Purdue Fort Wayne, I walked by signs for the Mastodon Career Closet, where students can borrow free professional attire for interviews. Similar initiatives at Indiana Tech and UIndy included career advising and internship pipelines that connected students directly to local employers. These resources matter because research shows students who receive early guidance are more likely to persist and complete their programs (Bailey et al., 2015; Jenkins & Lahr, 2022).
Supporting Student-Athletes Beyond the Game
At IU Indianapolis and Indiana Tech, athletes must complete supervised study hours, while Butler ties academic check-ins to weekly study tables. This proactive approach support athletes succeeding in the classroom as well as on the field. Research confirms that structured accountability, such as mandatory study halls where student‑athletes work with advisors to set specific goals, enhances self-regulated learning and strengthens academic persistence among athletes (Schwartz, 2018).
Creating Safe and Supportive Spaces
Every campus I visited had visible safety signage, such as emergency call boxes, and centrally located counseling centers. These visible markers of care make families feel reassured and give students the confidence to engage fully in their education.
Engagement That Sparks Connection
From robotics clubs to cultural associations, bulletin boards across the campuses advertised countless ways to belong. Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (1986) reminds us that students learn from observing peers; when students see others involved, they are more likely to engage themselves.
The Research Connection
My dissertation (Henlon, 2025) found that online first-generation students described virtual extracurricular spaces as vital to their sense of belonging and persistence. These findings mirror what I saw in Indiana: structured opportunities for connection build confidence and motivation.
A new study by the Community College Research Center supports this. Lahr et al. (2025) found that while most incoming students felt “certain” about their first-choice major, many were still considering multiple careers at once. Without clear support, students defaulted into general studies programs with weak labor market outcomes. But with visible guidance—career centers, advising, and tutoring, students were more likely to choose programs aligned with their long-term goals.
“Belonging is not optional. It is foundational.”
Call to Action
Families: when you visit campuses, look for signs of belonging. Where are the tutoring labs? Are career services visible? Do bulletin boards reflect a range of student interests? These details matter.
Institutions: design intentionally. Invest in high-impact supports, career programming, tutoring, mentorship, and make them visible. Students who feel seen and supported are more likely to stay, graduate, and lead.
Belonging makes the difference, not just for students but for the communities they will one day serve.
______________________________________________________________________________________
About the Author: Dr. Jessica Henlon holds a Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Education. She is an Education Contributor for Florida National News. Dr. Henlon can be reached at Education@FloridaNationalNews.com or book.jessicahenlon@gmail.com.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — As the holiday season approaches and school cafeterias prepare to close for winter break, Central Florida organizations are joining forces to ensure that thousands of local children continue to have access to nutritious meals.
AdventHealth, Orlando Magic and Local Partners Mobilize Holiday Bus to Support Food-Insecure Families. Orlando, Florida, Monday, December 1, 2025. Photo by Monica Hoyos / Florida National News
AdventHealth, the Orlando Magic, Florida Citrus Sports and Second Harvest Food Bank are providing grants to support schools and food pantries across Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, benefiting the nearly 200,000 students who rely on free and reduced-cost lunch during the academic year.
Dr. Maria Vazquez, superintendent of Orange County Public Schools speaks with local media about community partnerships to provide meals for students over the winter break. Orlando, Florida, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. (Photo by J. Willie David III/Florida National News)
“For many of our students, school meals are a vital source of nutrition. When schools close for winter break, that need doesn’t go away,” said Dr. Maria Vazquez, superintendent of Orange County Public Schools. “Together, we’re ensuring that every child has access to healthy food and the opportunity to thrive when they are not in school.”
COMMUNITY IMPACT & EXPANDING SUPPORT
AdventHealth’s most recent community survey found that food insecurity remains a major challenge in Central Florida, with more than half of school-aged children relying on school as their primary source of nutrition. To help bridge the gap, AdventHealth is launching the “Drive Out Hunger” Holiday Bus, which will stop at schools, hospitals, sporting venues and community hubs throughout December.
At each stop, residents will be encouraged to donate canned and non-perishable foods. With support from Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, every item collected will be delivered directly to school food pantries and community partners.
“Helping children and families feel whole starts with meeting their most basic needs, and that includes access to healthy food,” said Sharon Line Clary, senior vice president of Community Impact and Partnership Engagement at AdventHealth. “This initiative reflects the heart of our community: people and partners uniting to lift one another up.”
AdventHealth Leads Regional Effort to Ensure Children Have Meals During School Break. Orlando, Florida. Monday, December 1, 2025. Photo by Monica Hoyos / Florida National News
REGIONAL RESPONSE TO A CRITICAL NEED
Nearly 590,000 Central Florida residents — including over 150,000 children — face food insecurity on a daily basis. School district leaders say this collective effort is a tangible example of how community collaboration can relieve stress for families.
Serita Beamon, superintendent of Seminole County Public Schools, speaks with local media about community partnerships to provide meals for students over the winter break. Orlando, Florida, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. (Photo by J. Willie David III/Florida National News)
“Strong schools are built on strong communities, and we are so grateful for AdventHealth who shares our commitment to caring for the whole child,” said Serita Beamon superintendent of Seminole County Public Schools. “Their generous support of our school food pantries will help ensure that students have access to meals when they’re off campus. This investment strengthens our community and provides critical support for our most vulnerable students and families and directly reflects how AdventHealth lives out their mission to care for our community.”
“Food insecurity remains a major concern in our Osceola County community and remains the primary pre-condition for learning,” said Dr. Mark Shanoff, Osceola County School District superintendent. “When community partners wrap their arms around our children and families during this pivotal time, it ensures stability and hope.”
Second Harvest Food Bank Chief Development Officer Greg Higgerson said the organization is grateful for AdventHealth’s leadership and the alignment of local partners in supporting families beyond the classroom.
For more than 115 years, AdventHealth has served the Central Florida community as a not-for-profit health care provider. This holiday season, its mission continues beyond the hospital doors — delivering nourishment, compassion and support for families in need.
For the full schedule of Holiday Bus stops and the list of most-needed food items, visit: www.FeelWholeHoliday.com
_________________________________________________________________________
News@FloridaNationalNews.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida National News (FNN) proudly announces that for the “10th year” it will deliver full, real-time and post-event coverage of the prestigious 2025 Don Quijote Awards Gala, taking place Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Epcot’s World Showplace Pavilion in Orlando, Florida.
This year marks another milestone in FNN’s 10-year commitment to spotlighting business excellence, leadership, cultural impact, and community advancement across Florida’s Hispanic and Latino communities.
FNN’s coverage will include:
Red carpet arrivals and honoree interviews
Event highlights and on-stage presentations
Speaker and award-winner remarks
Professional photojournalism and multimedia content
Same-night and next-day article reporting
Live updates through FNN’s English and Spanish digital platforms
Florida National News continues to serve as a trusted bilingual independent news outlet dedicated to elevating stories of achievement, service, and influence within Florida’s diverse communities.
J. Willie David, III, President of Florida National News stated:
“Florida National News is honored to once again cover the Don Quijote Awards, a premier celebration recognizing individuals whose stories of perseverance and success inspire the next generation of leaders.”
Jenny Rosario, Vice President of Florida National News, added:
“At FNN, we are not just reporting — we are preserving the stories of innovators, visionaries, and community champions. The Don Quijote Awards shine a spotlight on those who embody resilience and cultural pride, and we look forward to amplifying their voices on a statewide and global stage.”
Follow FNN on-air, online, and across social media for continuous Don Quijote Awards coverage as we bring audiences exclusive access to honorees, presenters, and distinguished guests.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Florida’s tourism industry delivered record-breaking economic benefits in 2024, generating $133.6 billion in economic impact and saving the state’s more than 9 million households nearly $2,000 each in taxes, according to the 2024 Economic Impact of Tourism study released by VISIT FLORIDA.
Out-of-state visitors spent $134.9 billion in Florida last year, a 3.0% increase from 2023. U.S. travelers accounted for $120.1 billion of that total, while international visitors contributed $14.8 billion. The study also showed that for every dollar spent by visitors, 99 cents remained in Florida, boosting local businesses, wages, and public revenue.
Record-Breaking Tourism Growth
Florida welcomed 143 million visitors in 2024, marking the highest annual total in state history. Tourism accounted for 7.8% of Florida’s nominal Gross State Product, and the sector continued to be one of the strongest pillars of the state’s economy.
“Our tourism industry is critical to Florida’s strong economic position,” Governor Ron DeSantis said. “Florida remains the top destination for travelers from across the country and the world because we prioritize freedom and safety. Tourism fuels jobs and keeps Florida’s economy strong.”
Major Tax Revenue and Household Savings
Tourism-generated activity produced $33.6 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2024, a 3.3% increase over the previous year. Without this tax revenue, Florida households would have paid an additional $1,730 annually to maintain current state and local government services.
“Tourism drives Florida’s economy,” said Bryan Griffin, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. “This data demonstrates the value of Florida’s investment in tourism marketing. Florida’s 9.1 million households are saving nearly $2,000 a year because of the tax revenues generated by Florida tourism.”
Strong Workforce and Wage Growth
The tourism sector supported 1.8 million jobs in 2024, representing a 1.8% year-over-year increase. Tourism-related wages totaled $79.9 billion, including $44 billion in direct wages—a 4.6% increase from 2023. For every visitor dollar spent, 59 cents directly supported worker salaries, up from 2023 figures.
The report, produced by Rockport Analytics, applies a revised methodology that has been retroactively implemented for previous years. Year-over-year changes reflect these updated calculations.
_____________________________________________________________
US NATIONAL NEWS3 days agoAirlines Cancel Flights Worldwide to Fix Airbus A320 Software After JetBlue Incident
Education3 days agoEmpowering Financial Awareness for College-Bound Students (Part 2: Making College Count)
Politics3 days agoTrump Calls for “Permanent Pause” on Migration from Poorer Nations After D.C. Shooting
North Florida News3 days agoPro-Democracy Groups Launch “No Partisan Maps” Day of Action at Florida Capitol
Crimes and Courts3 days agoEx-FBI Employee Claims Dismissal for LGBTQ+ Flag Violated Constitutional Rights
