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About

Belonging at CSSH

09/12/25 - BOSTON, MA - Students walk through campus on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

At the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH), belonging is the foundation of academic excellence. We believe that a culture of belonging, where every faculty member, staff member, and student feels empowered, respected, and connected, strengthens our shared pursuit of knowledge.  

Inclusivity

Our culture, programs, and spaces welcome all identities, voices, beliefs, and pathways.

Empowerment

We encourage every member to participate in, lead, and influence our shared work.

Collaboration

We promote engagement that strengthens scholarship and deepens community. 

Community

We foster connections across roles, disciplines, and identities.

Programs and Activities

Professional Development and Support 

  • Belonging Lab Series — interactive sessions focused on empathy in transition, leadership in change, and inclusive communication. 
  • Inclusive Pedagogy Workshops — supporting faculty in designing equitable learning environments and embedding belonging-centered content into curricula. 
  • Adaptive Leadership Workshops — equipping supervisors and teams to strengthen cohesion through inclusive problem-solving and care-centered leadership. 

Community-Building Initiatives 

  • CSSH Campus Walk: Belonging Through Spaces — a guided, semesterly experience that fosters reflection, wellness, and collegial connection. Each walk invites participants to explore the campus with mindfulness and shared purpose, promoting well-being, engagement, and appreciation of the spaces that support belonging across the community. 
  • EMBRACE Faculty & Staff Affinity Group — fostering collaboration, mentorship, and professional community among faculty and staff. 
  • Monthly Awareness Features — highlighting observances such as Hispanic Heritage Month, Global Diversity Awareness Month, and Disability Employment Awareness Month. 
  • Belonging Climate Listening Sessions — open forums for faculty, staff, and students to share perspectives and experiences. 

Student Engagement and Retention 

  • Stay@CSSH: Internal Pathways Info Sessions — connecting undergraduates to graduate study opportunities within CSSH. 
  • Together@CSSH: Student Voice Dialogues — student-led forums promoting belonging and open dialogue. 
  • First-Generation Student Success Initiatives — mentoring, community-building, and resource support.