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.
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — AdventHealth will host a grand opening ceremony for its new hospital in Minneola, marking a major expansion of health care services for South Lake County. Local elected officials, community leaders and residents are expected to join AdventHealth executives for the celebration.
The new facility is part of a broader effort to bring world-class, whole-person inpatient care closer to home for families across Minneola and the surrounding communities. South Lake County has faced a significant shortage of physicians across nearly every specialty, and the new hospital aims to help meet that growing demand.
AdventHealth Minneola is located within a newly developed district that will feature shopping, entertainment, housing and green space, creating a centralized hub for both residents and visitors.
WHEN:
Tuesday, Dec. 9
Arrival time: 10 a.m.
Program begins: 10:15 a.m.
WHERE:
1800 North Hancock Road
Minneola, FL 34715
MIAMI, Fla. (FNN) — Distinguished leaders, cultural icons, tourism executives, and community champions from across the Caribbean and its Diaspora are set to gather for the 2025 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards—an afternoon dedicated to excellence, service, and the advancement of the region.
This year’s ceremony will feature a landmark moment: the presentation of the inaugural CMEx Lifetime Achievement Award to Sir Baltron Bethel, one of the Caribbean’s most influential tourism visionaries and a national icon of The Bahamas. Sir Baltron is recognized as the first and longest-serving Bahamian Director General of Tourism and a key architect of the region’s tourism growth and policy development.
Honoring Caribbean Changemakers
The 2025 CMEx Leadership Awards will recognize an exceptional roster of laureates whose work continues to shape Caribbean tourism, culture, and economic development. Honorees include:
Carole Alexis (Martinique), Dave Chang (Carnival Cruise Line), May-Ling Chun (St. Maarten), Ronella Croes (Aruba Tourism Authority), Laura Davidson (LDPR), Muryad de Bruin (Curaçao Tourist Board), Cathleen Decker (The Decker/Royal Agency), Loreto Duffy-Mayers (Barbados), Monique Hamaty-Simmonds (Cayman Islands), Clarisa Jiménez (Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association), Luce Hodge-Smith (British Virgin Islands), Janelle Hopkin (Grenada), Vonulrick “Von” Martin (Caribbeana Communications), Shomari Scott (Health City Cayman Islands), and Marcus Simmonds (Tortuga International Holdings).
“These exceptional honorees embody the spirit of leadership, innovation, and service that defines the best of the Caribbean,” said Bevan Springer, President of CMEx. “Their contributions across tourism, business, culture, and community development continue to transform the region.”
Regional and Global Dignitaries to Attend
The ceremony will welcome an array of regional officials and global tourism leaders, underscoring the event’s significance. Confirmed attendees include Lady Betty Hopkin (Grenada); Jennifer Matarangas-King (U.S. Virgin Islands); Cardigan Connor (Anguilla); Dona Regis-Prosper (Caribbean Tourism Organization); Latia Duncombe (Bahamas Ministry of Tourism); Joy Jibrilu (Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board); Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace (The Bahamas); Vanessa Ledesma (Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association); Wendy McDonald (Royal Caribbean Group); and Dr. Lisa Indar (CARPHA).
Tourism directors from Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, and Grenada will also be in attendance. Adding a cultural highlight, Bahamian vocalist Simmone Bowe will return as the featured performer, bringing her blend of jazz, reggae, R&B, and gospel to the stage.
Committed Partners and Sponsors
The 2025 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser is supported by a coalition of corporate, governmental, and destination partners whose contributions help sustain CMEx programs focused on youth development, education, and professional training throughout the region.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation serves as the Platinum Sponsor, with major sponsors including the Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board, British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission, Tropical Shipping, Unique Vacations Inc., The Decker/Royal Agency, Grenada Tourism Authority, Barbary Pyle Foundation, Tortuga Rum Company, Carnival Corporation & plc, Rodman Marketing Guru, and the St. Maarten Tourist Board.
Additional supporting sponsors include Calabash Cove Resort & Spa, Coco Palm, Comfort Suites Paradise Island, Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Jade Mountain, Ladera Resort, Marketplace Excellence Corporation, Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort, Park Hyatt St. Kitts, Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Tropical Attractions, and Villa Kaya.
The CMEx Leadership Awards celebrate individuals whose achievements span hospitality, cruise tourism, medical tourism, sustainable development, destination marketing, and media—fostering collaboration and a shared vision for a thriving Caribbean future.
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
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News@FloridaNationalNews.com
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