Belonging and shame find themselves on a spectrum. Shame is on one end belonging the other. In the university setting belonging is widely researched. However, it is not known how shame resilience effects a college's students sense of belonging. This study tapped into shame resilience theory and self-authorship to start the conversation about shame resilience and its part in a student feeling they belong at an institution. The study looked at 23 female student leaders at one public four-year institution within San Jose, California. Respondents took part in a survey and four partook in an interview. In short, the respondents described shameful events and how shame created barriers to belonging. Respondents shared how their networks helped or hindered their ability to belong. The study helps start a conversation about how student affairs professionals should look at shame resilience as a skill set to teach students during their time in their institutions. Shame can be a powerful barrier between a student and their ability to graduate. Shame resilience can be a determining factor in a student's ability to continue with a goal they set out. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]