By Dr Yetunde Kolajo
Belonging & Beyond is Kent’s answer to that question, a year-long, three-phase programme designed to strengthen the sense of belonging among Black and ethnically minoritised students and to invite everyone at Kent to grow their cultural awareness and inclusive practice. It’s a practical blueprint for community: Pre-Welcome, Welcome Week, Post-Welcome—one journey, three movements.
Phase 1 — Pre-Welcome: You’re not starting alone
Before suitcases were zipped and maps were opened, we met students online for an honest, practical conversation about starting at Kent. The pre-arrival virtual event was rated 4.5/5 by attendees and the chat was rich, real and reassuring. Students told us:
- “The panel talked a lot about my worries… it has eased my nerves and panic.”
- “I’m very curious to start my Kent journey… it will be wow.”
- “It was nice to hear from students of all ages who had the same fears and worries as I have.”
A quick word-cloud from the session says it all: be calm • don’t panic • reach out • take opportunities • open-minded • I am not alone.
What changed?
Students left with clear next steps (who to contact, what to prioritise), realistic expectations, and a sense that their questions were normal. That’s transition done with care, not guesswork.
Phase 2 — Welcome Week: Find your people. Learn the system. Start strong.
Our 1 October in-person panel, Belonging & Beyond: Welcome to the Kent Community, sits at the heart of this phase. Another successful event kept students encouraged amid the busyness of the week. Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Georgina Randsley de Moura, opened the first hour, after which we heard from students and the things they wish they had known from the start. In the second hour, attendees networked with staff and peers, made connections. The culturally diverse free food was a hit!
Phase 2 continues with our spotlight on 21 October: Authenticity in Higher Education: The Influence of Learning on Identity Formation, by Professor ‘Lez’ Henry.
This flagship Belonging & Beyond event asks a question that matters: How does learning shape who we become? Professor ‘Lez’ Henry—scholar, cultural historian and compelling speaker, will explore authenticity, belonging and identity in the context of higher education.
All students are warmly invited with a special welcome to Black students seeking spaces that affirm and strengthen belonging. Come for the conversation, stay for the community and yes, there’s free food. Leave with ideas, language and confidence you’ll carry for life.
Belonging isn’t about fitting a mould; it’s about building a campus where more people can be fully themselves and fully successful. Pre-Welcome gives you the map.
Welcome Week starts the journey. Post-Welcome keeps you moving. That’s Belonging & Beyond.
Event Details here . See you there!
