Conference promotional graphic for the SAM International Business Conference featuring the presentation titled “The Role of Student Media in Shaping Student Commitment and Engagement at Universities.” The image shows a group of diverse students collaborating around microphones, cameras, laptops, and audio equipment, representing student-run media such as radio, video, and digital platforms. In the background, a university campus and floating media icons suggest communication, content creation, and campus engagement. The presenters, Yelyzaveta Shevchuk and Halil Zaim from Alfred University, are listed alongside the session title, with conference branding displayed across the top and bottom of the image.

Student engagement and institutional commitment are increasingly recognized as critical indicators of educational quality and long-term student success. Yet one influential factor often overlooked in engagement research is student media. This accepted academic presentation examines how student-run media platforms contribute to students’ awareness, participation, sense of belonging, and overall connection to university life.

Drawing on survey-based research currently underway, the study explores how students consume and interact with campus newspapers, radio, digital platforms, and social media. It examines whether engagement with student media influences perceptions of institutional transparency, media independence, and relevance to student needs. By integrating validated scales measuring motivation, sense of community, and academic, social, and athletic engagement, the research positions student media as more than a communication channel. It is framed as a strategic institutional asset.

The presentation anticipates a positive relationship between active engagement with student media and higher levels of student involvement, institutional satisfaction, and commitment. Students who regularly follow or participate in campus media are expected to report stronger awareness of campus activities, greater participation in university life, and a deeper sense of belonging within the academic community.

Beyond measurement, the session addresses the broader managerial implications of student media. It highlights how universities can strengthen media independence, content quality, and relevance to support engagement goals, transparency, and community-building initiatives. The findings aim to inform administrators, educators, and researchers seeking evidence-based strategies to enhance the student experience.

This session is designed for scholars and practitioners interested in educational research, assessment, and engagement strategies. It offers insights into how student media can be leveraged intentionally to strengthen institutional commitment and improve the overall quality of the university environment.

Authors and Affiliations
Yelyzaveta Shevchuk, Alfred University
Halil Zaim, Alfred University

This presentation will be delivered in person at the SAM International Business Conference. Attendees are invited to engage with emerging research on student engagement and the evolving role of student media in higher education.