How can institutions accurately assess belonging and inclusion when student experiences are not always reflected in traditional campus climate measures? Grounded in Critical Race Theory (CRT), this session presents findings from a multi-institution study examining how campus culture shapes students’ perceptions of implicit racial bias at three predominantly White institutions (PWIs) in a large U.S. metropolitan area. Using the newly developed Implicit Racial Bias Higher Education Questionnaire (IRBHEQ), the study explored student perceptions across racial groups. It combined quantitative findings with student narratives in order to provide a deeper understanding of campus experiences. While overall perceptions of campus culture appeared similar across groups, qualitative responses revealed important differences related to representation, opportunity, belonging, and institutional support. Attendees will learn how student narratives can complement traditional campus climate assessments, explore strategies to strengthen belonging and equity, and examine how institutions can use assessment data to inform policy, leadership development, and student success initiatives.