Putting Students First

In Putting Students First, the authors argue that colleges can and should invest in holistic student development by recognizing and building on the students’ search for purpose in life, intellectually, spiritually, and morally. Based on a study conducted at ten religiously-affiliated schools, the book urges all colleges to rethink their approach to teaching and advising the increasingly diverse students of today; their critical mission should be to prepare students to become ethically responsible and active contributors to society, as well as critical thinkers and skilled professionals.

Putting Students First offers perspectives and recommendations in areas of holistic student development such as

• Understanding millennial college students
• The role of faculty in defining culture
• The design and implementation of curriculum
• The impact of cocurricular involvement
• Fostering relationships with on-campus and off-campus communities

By organizing the campus environment into “4Cs”—culture, curriculum, cocurriculum, and community—the authors create a conceptual framework for faculty, student affairs staff, and administrators to discuss, plan, and create college environments that effectively support the learning and development of students. Each chapter includes an introduction, evidence and analysis, a summary, and questions to help readers consider how to develop students holistically on their own campuses.

About the Authors ix

Foreword xi

Acknowledgements xiii

Introduction xvii

Putting Students First 1

Introduction

Why Is It Important to Put Students and Their Development First?

Who Are Today's College Students?

Who Develops These Students?

In What Context Is Holistic Development Occurring?

Why Study Church-Related Colleges and Universities?

Summary

Conceptual Framework and Design of the Project 19

Introduction

Theoretical Bases for Holistic Student Development

Faith, Spirituality, and Student Development

Student Development and the Church-Related Context

Conceptual Framework: Personal Investment Theory

Project Design

Summary

Culture 43

Introduction

Discerning and Acting on Institutional Mission

Building on a Legacy

Communicating Institutional Mission and Identity

Leadership

College Location

Campus Facilities

Expectations and Contributions of Faculty

Faculty as Role Models

Using a Career Perspective on Faculty Development

Faculty Evaluation as a Reflection of Culture

Support and Challenge

Summary

Questions for Campus Conversations

Curriculum 87

Introduction

Philosophical Foundations of the Curriculum

Centrality of a Liberal Arts Education

Integrating Faith and Learning

Worldviews

Pedagogy

Developmentally Tailored Experiences for Students

Pedagogy of Engagement: Field-Based and Community-Based Learning

Summary

Questions for CampusConversations

Cocurriculum 129

Introduction

Mutual Reinforcement of Learning

Campus Rituals

Residence Life

Student Leadership

Relationships With Coaches, Professional Staff, and Campus Ministry

Faculty Interactions

Immersion Experiences

Summary

Questions for Campus Conversations

Community 159

Introduction

Shared Governance

Defining Community

Maintaining Community Amidst Change

Diversity Within Community

Communities Beyond the Campus

Dealing With Difference and External Communities

Summary

Questions for Campus Conversations

Creating Communities That Put Students First 191

Introduction

Chapter Overview

Mission Is Reality, Not Rhetoric

Learning and Development Are Integrated

The Campus Community Fosters Support and Challenge

Summary

Bibliography 219

Index 241

LARRY A. BRASKAMP is professor emeritus of education at Loyola University Chicago, where he served as senior vice president for academic affairs.

LOIS CALIAN TRAUTVETTER is associate director of the Higher Education Administration and Policy Program and lecturer in the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University.

KELLY WARD is associate professor of educational leadership and counseling psychology at Washington State University.

Putting Students First

Society is calling for higher education to take more responsibility for helping students find purpose and meaning in life. In this book, the authors argue that colleges should purposefully invest in students in ways that will foster their holistic development by recognizing and building on students' purpose in life, intellectually, spiritually, and morally. By using the "4C framework"—culture, curriculum, cocurriculum, and community—faculty, student affairs staff, and academic administrators will be able to discuss, plan, and create a college environment that effectively supports the learning and development of students. The book contains a set of themes and calls for consideration and action based on the findings of site visits at 10 colleges and a set of questions to help readers think about and plan how to develop students holistically on their own campuses.

Contents include:

• Putting Students First
• Conceptual Framework and Design of the Project
• Culture
• Curriculum
• Cocurriculum
• Community
• Creating Communities That Put Students First