Inclusive Practices in Supervision — creating a sense of belonging at work

There is not a singular best way to create belonging in the workplace, nor a formula for supervising students with backgrounds, identities, experiences, or views different from your own. 

The supervisor perspective on inclusive practices:

Supervisors who are doing this well have shared that they focus on the following areas in their supervision:

Adaptive and Individualized Supervision
Effective supervision means understanding and adapting to each student’s unique communication style, needs, and stage of development. Supervisors use intentional and customized approaches to help students thrive.

Building Independence and Confidence
Supervisors support students’ gradual growth by offering structured support early on, then stepping back to allow for autonomy and skill-building as students gain confidence.

Community Building and Communication
Creating intentional opportunities for students to connect with each other (when a department has multiple student staff) and with department or division regular staff and faculty is essential for cohesion and morale. This can be done through team-building activities, shared communication tools like shift logs, or interdepartmental events.

Seeing Students as Whole People
There is a need for care and emotional support, especially when students experience personal challenges. Supervisors focus on creating a workplace where student employees feel seen, heard, and valued. This includes everyday gestures like greetings, small talk, and encouragement to bring their full selves to work. Taking time to check in personally with students is both meaningful and necessary.

The student perspective on inclusive practices in supervision:

We also asked students who were employed on campus about what strengthened their sense of belonging in the workplace and here is what they told us their supervisors do:

Build community, intentionally, in the workplace
Express gratitude and affirm students’ contributions to their work and to the university
Maintain expectations and assign meaningful work that honors the capabilities of students
Invite feedback from students (not just about processes, but about what they need at work)
Cultivate a welcoming environment where the supervisor is available and reachable
Show interest in the whole lives of student staff members and offer grace and understanding
Directly name values of inclusion and belonging and incorporate them into conversations with students

Looking for actionable ideas for inclusive practices in your supervision?

Start with Regular Check-ins and Personal Conversations
Why it’s helpful: Asking about their weekend or how they’re feeling fosters connection, signals support and care, builds trust, and helps you understand a student’s needs beyond the tasks they’re working on.

Create Low-Stakes Opportunities for Leadership and Creativity
Why it’s helpful: Involving students in real decisions (e.g., office redesign, process improvement) builds investment, confidence, and transferable skills. It also helps avoid busywork and keeps their work meaningful.

Adjust Supervision Style Based on the Student
Why it’s helpful: Recognizing that students vary in communication and processing styles helps ensure support is effective and builds a positive, responsive environment that meets students where they are. Notice whether a student seems to appreciate direct feedback (“Here’s what I think went well and what I’d like you to change…”), or if they seem to prefer for you to start a feedback conversation with a question (“What went well for you on this project? Did your work on this achieve the goals you had for it, or address the problem you were trying to solve?”), allowing them the opportunity to explain their experience and perspective.

Use Tools for Communication and Team Cohesion
Why it’s helpful: In departments with multiple student staff members where students have staggered or non-overlapping schedules, tools like shift logs with updates, fun quizzes, or GIFs maintain a sense of team and keep everyone informed and engaged.

Celebrate Contributions and Express Gratitude
Why it’s helpful: Verbal and visible appreciation reinforces students’ sense of value and accomplishment. Phrases like “I couldn’t do this without you” signal that their contributions matter to the work of the department and to the university. Pointing out and affirming the skills and personal strengths that they used to be successful on a task or project fosters their growth and confident participation in the world of work.