The Office for Community Belonging Hosts Visioning Sessions to Inform Belonging Strategic Plan

Throughout 2021 and early 2022, the Office for Community Belonging (OCB) is hosting visioning sessions with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to understand which of Pepperdine University’s strengths to leverage in creating a sustainable community of belonging. These sessions will inform the OCB Strategic Plan slated to be produced in summer 2022. 

“These visioning sessions utilize ‘Appreciative Inquiry,’ an organizational development methodology which identifies Pepperdine’s existing strengths,” shares J. Goosby Smith, Pepperdine’s inaugural vice president for community belonging and chief diversity officer. “Understanding how DUNAMIS manifests at Pepperdine strengthens our ability to cultivate an environment that supports the holistic development of each Pepperdine community member into the best versions of themselves.”

Prior to the 30-45 minute sessions, visioning participants are provided a brief survey to share their perspectives on what belonging initiatives are most important to them and where they feel the strongest sense of belonging on campus. The sessions focus on understanding participants’ best campus experiences. OCB will analyze each session along with survey data to inform the first OCB Strategic Plan, which will set goals and assessment criteria for future OCB  initiatives.

“These sessions are just one of many ways the community is coming together to spark and strengthen belonging,” shares April Harris Akinloye (’00, MA ’05), assistant vice president for community belonging at Pepperdine.

To get involved in an upcoming visioning session, contact the Office for Community Belonging. To learn more about other belonging initiatives at Pepperdine, visit the Office for Community Belonging website.