This paper investigates the impact of "Mattering", as the fundamental human need to feel valued and add value, on student learning outcomes within the Undergraduate Business School at Universidad Austral. Based on Mercurio’s (2025) analysis that respectful engagement directly enhances cognitive functioning and learning capacity, we posit that the perception of significance is not merely a psychological boost but a prerequisite for intellectual risk-taking and academic performance. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Mercurio, Flett, and Prilleltensky, this study analyzes quantitative data from teaching evaluations collected over 2024 and 2025, covering a faculty of 250 professors across five undergraduate programs (Business Administration, Economics, Digital Business, Marketing, and Public Accounting). We examined the correlation between the specific indicator "Teacher-Student Interaction" (measured by a 5-point Likert scale on kindness, cordiality, and availability) and the "General Professor Satisfaction" score. The results reveal a remarkably strong positive correlation (Pearson’s r = 0.93), indicating that perceived kindness and respect are not peripheral details but central pillars of the educational experience. This near-perfect linear relationship suggests that when students score high on interaction, feeling noticed and affirmed, they establish a "secure base" that fosters deeper engagement and resilience in the learning process. These findings support the "Pygmalion effect," where instructor support acts as a catalyst for student potential, and validate that creating a culture of mattering is a pedagogical imperative. Consequently, faculty development must prioritize relational skills to unlock students' full cognitive potential, transforming the classroom from a transactional space into an environment of significant learning.

Authors:
Camila del Carril, Universidad Austral, Argentina
Cecilia Primogerio, Universidad Austral, Argentina

About the Presenter(s)
Bachelor degree in Educational Sciences, Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Currently Pedagogical Advisor at the Educational Department of Faculty of Business Sciences, Universidad Austral, Argentina.

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