In this article Nancy Evans, a former faculty member, recalls her experiences during two major crises, a campus shooting and the 9/11 attacks. Through these difficult situations, she learned some strategies for supporting students during crisis. Now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she shares some of these strategies. Additionally, guidance…

Instructors and professors know from their experiences as learners that engaged, interactive, dialogical learning can enhance understanding and increase joy in the learning process. Yet many were primarily taught through traditional lecture-style techniques and continue that pattern in their own teaching. As a professor who believes learning…

In this article, William Deresiewicz discusses his Book, "Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite & the Way to a Meaningful Life." He shares his perspective on some of the ways higher education is missing the mark.

In this article, the author describes a story about Bernie, who found a strong mentoring relationship with a faculty member--a sympathetic ear, a willing advisor, someone who cared about whether he stayed or left the institution. The story points to the power of advising, communicating, and mentoring in student success and persistence to…

Belonging to a personally meaningful community of learners is a powerful predictor of a student's retention and academic success. Being part of a community that is intentionally built on recognizing, valuing, and learning from the diversity within that community can further deepen students' understanding of self, others, and the global community…

This author relates how, as a college student with an invisible disability, his experience affected his awareness of students with similar challenges and how educators can serve these students better. Henning shares his story in hopes that it will affect others' awareness of these students' challenges. To help students with hidden disabilities, he…

Educators, particularly those who work with students outside the classroom, are trained to identify and correct problems. This approach typically addresses gaps in skills but does not identify and exploit personal strengths. In this article, the authors argue that institutions and the students who attend them would be better served by…

College students often expect responses instantaneously and become angered if their friends have turned off their cell phones or did not leave an away message on instant message. A "60 Minutes" television segment in 2004 described how today's generation of college students, called "echo boomers," are "the most sophisticated generation ever when it…

In this article, the author shares his conversation with Kim--one of his students who shared with him her faith, her major beliefs, the conditions for eternal salvation of one's soul, and her family's religious history. As Kim was describing her faith group's criteria for eternal salvation and for eternal damnation, the author found that her faith…

In this article, the author recounts his experience teaching MU-241, Music Harmony and Counterpoint, which is a capstone course for the music electronics program--a two-year associate of arts and sciences degree--at Queensborough Community College, City University of New York. The class, a difficult one, combines harmony, counterpoint, and piano,…

Relates a chaplain's experience with college students' behavior and values. Argues that the current generation of students has been abandoned by society and that it is essential that adults be involved in students' lives. Advocates that the classical ideals of higher education be recovered and that campuses foster friendship between generations.…

Asks the question, What would happen if college faculty started noticing students, started asking them questions, and started listening to their responses? Claims that much would be learned. Includes personal stories of three students. (MKA)

By the time students graduate from college, most still have not achieved the kind of self-authorship that would allow them to think independently, make choices, and pursue their dreams. What can be done to help them develop this capacity and make the most of their college experience? One way, says the author, is to be better company. (Author)

Facilitation is a good thing, but too much can be a problem. What can happen when parents and educators overfacilitate? One way to avoid this common pitfall is for administrators and faculty to work in partnership with parents to maintain a healthy balance in facilitating the education of the students. (Author)

With the dearth of African American men in academe, African American college men have few opportunities to be mentored by those who can best help them make sense of their experience. Du Bois' writings give voice to much of the African American college experience and provide concrete examples of how to think, act, and persevere in the U.S.…