The Five Functions of Advocacy and Belonging

The Five Functions of Advocacy and Belonging

To fulfill the mission along this foundational track, we methodically plan, develop, and implement functions in five distinct areas:

Our communications function involves how we connect with our stakeholders and community. Within this function our office:

  • Develops advocacy and belonging program newsletters
  • Curates a social media presence focusing on A&B initiatives
  • Ensures our online and marketing materials align with current and emergent A&B goals

Current A&B-related marketing initiatives

The Outreach task of A&B includes working with multiple offices to enhance the recruitment of students, faculty, and staff.

Outreach team members foster relationships with high schools throughout the state of Indiana, schedule high school visits, and develop “college knowledge, college fit” workshops for prospective high school students and their families.

Within the Office of Advocacy and Belonging, the programming team works to host events and programs that encompass the A&B vision. These programs are planned and lead entirely by our office to enhance student life by offering resource. Continuous Programs include:

  • College, Culture and Careers
  • Community Conversations
  • TEA Talks
  • Just US Networking Events
  • A&B Workshops
  • Homework Help Tutoring Partnership

The programming function of A&B also hosts events to provide ongoing support for students throughout the university and to unify students, staff and faculty. Smaller programs include:

  • Networking Opportunities (Pizza With Professionals)
  • Panels (Study Abroad, Graduate School)

Mentoring is a major component of the A&B office Ongoing Support function. Student Ambassadors serve as college mentors for high school students sharing stories about college life, walking students through college and scholarship application processes, and providing both academic enrichment and social support.

A&B provides year-long mentoring for current high school seniors to support the high school to college transition:

  • Mentor Year

A&B provides support for currently enrolled college students in the form of:

  • Peer mentoring opportunities in conjunction with FASE
  • Leadership and social support opportunities through student organizations

The Office of Advocacy and Belonging implements our research function by evaluating how School of Education communications, outreach, programming, and support services align with our mission. The results of our research will inform how we:

  • enhance our online and marketing materials
  • reach out to share our message and mission with the greater community
  • invite prospective educators and staffers to participate in our on-campus programs
  • provide ongoing support for program participants through mentor sessions and networking luncheons.

Moreover, A&B research will result in resources we may provide educators seeking to infuse advocacy and belonging into lesson plans, curriculum, and educational services and cocurricular programs. 

The research and resource functions allow progress to be evaluated and improved by our current research efforts:

  • Developing a Policy & Building Audit
  • Assessing Results of a College Readiness Program