Extending Notions of Campus Climate and Diversity to Students' Transition to College

This study builds upon previous research on the effect of diversity on college students by examining and modeling the effects of diversity experiences for students of color and White students' transition to college. Specifically, structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to examine the direct and indirect effects of interactions with diverse peers and their sense of belonging in the second year at public universities. Positive interactions with diverse peers result in a greater sense of belonging to the campus community for all students, extending the link between the campus climate for diversity and transition to college.