A Roadmap to Cultivating a Culture of Belonging for Learners in Physical Therapy Education

Abstract

A sense of belonging guides learners toward connections, acceptance, and a sense of being valued and, ultimately, academic success. However, a recent national study revealed that learners from racially and ethnically minoritized group expressed less satisfaction with their Doctor of Physical Therapy education and less agreement that their programs fostered psychological well-being. This roadmap for belonging is specifically designed for learners of color but can be generalized to all students considering the intersectionality of historically dominant and nondominant sociocultural identities. Essential steps include an assessment of who is in the classroom, identifying resources to support students, and creating accountability and sustainability metrics. By following this belonging roadmap, physical therapy educators can work toward cultivating a greater sense of belonging for learners in academic spaces.