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.
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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.
Florida National News and FNN News en Español will provide on-site coverage of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Cranes Roost Park.
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (FNN) — Hola at the Park will bring Hispanic culture, local businesses and live entertainment to Cranes Roost Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and presented by AdventHealth, the event celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month through food, entertainment, entrepreneurship and community connections.
According to the chamber’s event announcement, admission is free, the celebration is open to the community and no registration is required.
FNN to Spotlight Businesses and Community Voices
Florida National News and FNN News en Español, official media sponsors, will be on location covering the festivities.
The FNN team will spotlight chamber representatives, sponsors, participating businesses and community leaders, while sharing attendees’ perspectives throughout the afternoon.
Coverage will highlight the people, businesses and cultural traditions contributing to the celebration.
Photo: Florida National News
Food, Entertainment and Family Activities
The chamber’s announcement lists authentic cuisine, live entertainment, local businesses, wellness experiences, community resources, networking and family-friendly activities among the event’s offerings.
Attendees will have opportunities to explore Hispanic traditions, connect with entrepreneurs and learn about organizations serving Central Florida.
Photo: Florida National News
A Waterfront Setting in Uptown Altamonte
Cranes Roost Park, located in Uptown Altamonte, features a waterfront setting with scenic walkways around Cranes Roost Lake and the Eddie Rose Amphitheater and floating stage.
The park will serve as the gathering place for an afternoon celebrating Hispanic heritage and the connections between culture, business and community.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
- Time: 2–6 p.m. EDT
- Location: Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
- Host: Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando
- Presenting sponsor: AdventHealth
- Admission: Free and open to the community
- Registration: Not required
Photo: Florida National News
Vendor Inquiries
For information about vendor opportunities, contact the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando at info@hispanicchamber.com or events@hispanicchamber.com.
The refrigerated lineup includes five single-serve dishes and two family-size meals.
BATAVIA, Ill. (FNN) — ALDI will begin rolling out seven ready-made meals in select stores in early October, with single-serve dishes priced under $8 and family-size options under $15. The grocer expects the full lineup to be available nationwide by January 2027.
The collection includes five single-serve meals: beef Bolognese spaghetti, beef brisket with white mac and cheese, butter chicken and rice, a chicken burrito bowl, and chicken fettuccine Alfredo. The two family-size dishes are chicken and bacon mac and cheese and a meat lovers pizza bake.
“Our shoppers are looking for meals that fit into busy lives,” said Joan Kavanaugh, vice president of national buying for ALDI U.S. She said the company developed the lineup with shoppers’ budgets and demand for convenient meals in mind.
Price and preparation
ALDI said the single-serve meals contain 30 to 46 grams of protein each. The family-size dishes contain 16 to 22 grams per serving. The company announced price limits for the two sizes but did not list a price for each individual meal.
“We tested hundreds of recipes as we developed this collection,” said Terry Jackson, head of food at Kitchen Food Company, ALDI’s supplier for the meals. Jackson said the team focused on flavor and ingredients while developing the dishes.
The meals are refrigerated, not frozen. ALDI says the single-serve dishes can be heated in a microwave, while the family-size meals are prepared in an oven. Shoppers should follow the directions on each package.
2026 Hispanic Chamber Hola at the Park. Uptown Altamonte Springs, Florida at beautiful Cranes Roost Park Saturday, October 3, 2026 (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM) (EDT)
When and where to find them
The meals will be stocked in the refrigerated meals section near the front of ALDI stores. Availability will vary during the rollout, which begins in select markets in early October and expands through the fall. ALDI also plans to offer additional meals through its limited-time ALDI Finds assortment each month over the following year. corporate.aldi.us
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