Higher Learning: The Tools for Student Success

           Zintathu, a South African University marketing graduate, once said, "My future is brighter than before. I know life is hard, but with a higher education, all things are possible” (McInnis, 2014).  During our CSL 490 course, I have been reflecting on what I can do as a student affairs professional to ensure that every student is provided the necessary and appropriate tools to achieve higher learning.  These tools will help them earn their college degree and be successful throughout life.    

                                                                                                                       

The significance of higher learning in American higher education is and continues to be an area of concern.  According to We’re Losing Our Minds: Rethinking Higher Education, learning “is no longer the first priority in most colleges and universities despite the fact that the core mission of every institution of higher education is exactly that – learning” (Hersh & Keeling, 2012, pg. 1).  How can faculty and student affairs professionals ensure students are truly gaining higher learning while in college?  Various research and solutions have been proposed to fix the broken meaning of higher learning.  However, this disconnect between higher education’s goals for teaching and actual student learning still occurs every academic year.  The answer must not fully rest on faculty and student affairs professionals.  Instead, there must be a mutual collaboration between students, faculty, and staff.  This will ensure that students succeed in college and in the way that higher learning is presented, consumed, and used in the real world by students after graduation.

 

The Student Personnel Point of View (SPPV) 1937 and 1949 and many other articles and journals that we have read and discussed in class raise awareness and insight on how co-curricular collaboration between academia and student affairs can benefit all students.  As student affairs professionals, we are charged in aiding students in their holistic development as human individuals.  Higher education should and cannot be just about the curricula being taught and the learning occurring in the classroom.  A student’s collegiate experience is more than learning content to complete a set of requirements while earning a degree.  Student learning must and does include leadership involvement on campus, living and experiencing the community of a residence hall, studying  abroad in a foreign country, overcoming life challenges through the use of university resources and professional staff, and joining a fraternity, sorority, or student organization.  There are a plethora of opportunities where students can learn about themselves, their peers, and the world that surrounds them in and outside of the classroom.  These moments of higher learning allow faculty and student affairs professionals to guide and provide the best learning environment for students.

 

Coming back to our CSL 490 Pinterest board, I have observed a wide range of posts, images, and resources that I can use when working with my future students.  I believe that in today’s ever changing higher education environment, I must rely on continuing education and fellow student affairs peers to be aware of the new trends in the field and how our students are and are not receiving the best higher learning while in college.  Co-curricular collaboration will expand my higher learning professional competencies while ensuring that the work I complete with students is intentional and beneficial for them.  Assessment of the programs and interactions that I have with my students will provide support and a minimum standard that I can benchmark the higher learning opportunities I provide for my students.  My engagement in intentional dialogues around societal hot topics will help students learning more about diversity and its impact in our world. Becoming involved with professional organizations like NASPA and ACPA will allow me the opportunity to network with other professionals and expand my knowledge and competencies. 

 

I must commit myself to advocating higher learning for students.  For many of them, college is the first step in growing and becoming a well-rounded person, a knowledgeable professional, and better member of society.  Like Zintathu, each student should believe his or her higher learning in college and beyond provides opportunities to overcome anything in life.  In turn, we as student affairs professionals must give them the tools to do so.          

 

References

American Council on Education (1937). The student personnel point of view. Washington DC: author.

American Council on Education (1949). The student personnel point of view. Washington DC: author.

Keeling, R. P. & Hersh, R. H. (2012). We’re losing our minds: rethinking american higher education. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan

McInnis, K. (2014, July 10). Wisdom of african college graduates [CSL 490 Pinterest Post]. Retrieved from http://www.pinterest.com/pin/333759022358220291/