Lehigh360 was first conceived in 2018 as part of Lehigh’s Office of Creative Inquiry and has grown into a central catalyst for student engagement in high-impact opportunities. By connecting students with hands-on learning opportunities and ensuring equal access, including financial support for high-need students, the initiative seeks to cultivate a campus culture where each student can participate in life-changing programs. These opportunities range from internships and peer mentoring to study abroad programs and faculty-led projects.
Keith Buffinton, Executive Director of the Coalition for Transformational Education, celebrated the addition of Lehigh University: “We are thrilled to welcome Lehigh University into the Coalition. Their Lehigh360 initiative exemplifies the kind of student-centered programming that is core to the Coalition’s mission. Lehigh’s dedication to providing all students with meaningful, high-impact experiences directly aligns with our belief that every student should leave college equipped to navigate and succeed in a rapidly evolving world.”
In the past year and a half, Lehigh360 has implemented an online searchable database to streamline access to 40+ high-impact program opportunities—ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, major or advisor, is aware of and has equal access to the critical information about these transformational opportunities. The initiative also integrates with Lehigh’s NavigateLU program, which assigns first-year and transfer students a faculty or staff coach who helps them navigate their transition to Lehigh and guide them through the variety of learning opportunities available across campus.
Lehigh University President Joseph J. Helble emphasized the university’s alignment with the Coalition’s mission, stating, “Our institution shares the Coalition’s commitment to fostering innovative, forward-thinking approaches to education that meet the changing needs of society and the workforce. Our strategic plan, Inspiring the Future Makers, reflects this commitment and serves as a guiding framework for the transformational initiatives already underway at Lehigh, and those we hope to develop in the future with the Coalition’s support.”
Lehigh University’s membership in the Coalition for Transformational Education underscores both organizations’ shared goal of creating educational experiences that not only prepare students for successful careers but also equip them with the tools to lead purposeful, impactful lives.
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The authors summarize data-backed teaching practices that support elements of student wellbeing, including supportive mentorships and experiential or authentic learning opportunities. Six exceptional initiatives are described, which can act as models for prioritizing student wellbeing. Examples include a digital storytelling project at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, research learning experiences for first-year students at the University of Maine, and Stanford University’s “Designing Your Life” course. The authors present the reader with a set of guiding principles for higher education institutions seeking to put student wellbeing initiatives in place. The authors argue that additional research on the funding, design, implementation, and assessment of programs is needed. According to the authors, it is imperative that universities prioritize student well-being, which will require the adoption of transformative pedagogical practices. Read the article here.
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The Center for Student Formation is central to BC’s formative educational efforts. Rooted in the Jesuit tradition, the Center offers a variety of programs and initiatives—including mentorship programs, retreats, leadership opportunities, and service experiences—designed to help students reflect on their purpose and desires, both personally and professionally.
Boston College Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley highlighted the significance of this partnership: “BC’s distinctive culture of formation is foundational to and animates the University’s approach to education, particularly our goals of integrating intellectual excellence, religious commitment, and service to wider society, and of remaining faithful to our educational and religious heritage. By joining the coalition, we link with a community of like-minded university leaders dedicated to centering student well-being and lifelong flourishing as their mission.”
In addition to the Center for Student Formation, Boston College’s Department of Formative Education (DFE), established in 2022 within the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, is a cornerstone of the university’s mission to educate students for meaningful lives. At the DFE, faculty and researchers explore fundamental questions such as: How do we educate whole persons? How do we cultivate community and purpose?
Further, since 2017, Boston College’s strategic plan has outlined an intentional commitment to strengthening the formation of students, faculty, and staff, particularly in the areas of intellectual excellence, religious commitment, and service to the greater community. This commitment includes:
By joining the Coalition for Transformational Education, Boston College strengthens its ties with other institutions committed to transformative, purpose-driven education, further enhancing its mission to develop graduates who will use their gifts in service to others. “We are so pleased to welcome Boston College to the Coalition for Transformational Education,” said Keith Buffinton, Executive Director of the Coalition. “Boston College brings a remarkable tradition of integrating intellectual, spiritual, and ethical formation into every facet of student life. Their commitment to holistic education offers a profound model that we will all learn from. As a Coalition, we are excited to share in their journey and look forward to collaborating on initiatives that prioritize student well-being and flourishing.”
For more information on Boston College’s Center for Student Formation and the Department of Formative Education, visit www.bc.edu.
]]>The St. Thomas Purpose Project aims to bring together faculty and staff leaders across the university to engage collaboratively, with the goal of reaching all students with a sense of purpose and vocation.
University of St. Thomas President Robert K. Vischer emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We know from surveys that many young people today are suffering from a lack of purpose and meaning in their lives, and that void contributes to the mental health, loneliness, and hopelessness crises pervading our campuses and boding ill for our country’s future. At every St. Thomas new student orientation, we share our aspiration for each of them: that they emerge from their time with us with the unshakeable knowledge that they are loved, that their lives have purpose, that their work has meaning, and that they have been gifted by God to make irreplaceable contributions to our world. We reject the notion that higher education institutions must become transactional, focused only on providing job skills as efficiently as possible. While preparing students for professional success is important, instilling a sense of purpose alongside employment readiness is imperative.”
Key Initiatives of the St. Thomas Purpose Project include:
Keith Buffinton, Executive Director of the Coalition for Transformational Education, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We are honored to welcome the University of St. Thomas to our Coalition. The St. Thomas Purpose Project is a shining example of how institutions can take proactive steps to foster a deeper sense of purpose among their students. We look forward to supporting St. Thomas in this transformative endeavor and sharing the insights gained with our broader community.”
About the Coalition for Transformational Education:
The Coalition for Transformational Education is a group of leaders in higher education dedicated to promoting evidence-based, learner-centered education that fosters well-being and work engagement throughout life.
About the University of St. Thomas:
The University of St. Thomas is the largest private university in Minnesota. Founded in 1885, St. Thomas has campuses in St. Paul, Minneapolis and Rome (Italy), serving more than 9,000 students pursuing more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees. St. Thomas is a mission-based organization recognized for its extensive alumni network, best-in-class job placement rates and excellent student experiences, including more than 140 student clubs and a flourishing NCAA division-1 athletics atmosphere. Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. As a Princeton Review Top 50 Green College, US News & World Report Best Value University and the only university in Minnesota to be designated a Changemaker Campus, St. Thomas is uniquely positioned as a leader in higher education. To learn more, please visit stthomas.edu.
]]>The Coalition for Transformational Education is excited to welcome Kent State University as its newest member. Joining the Coalition through their innovative Student Life Study, Kent State is set to make significant contributions to the understanding and enhancement of student wellbeing during the transition to college and beyond.
The Kent State University Student Life Study will follow 10,000 undergraduates through graduation and beyond, aiming to better understand the risks and protective factors influencing mental, physical, occupational, and social health during the critical transition to college and into young adulthood. Utilizing advanced research methods and cutting-edge technology, the Student Life Study collects unprecedented data on the day-to-day experiences of modern college students. This research infrastructure also allows for the delivery of personalized, smartphone-based interventions to promote student well-being and success, with the goal of providing the right intervention to the right person at the right time. The data collected is continuously used to refine these interventions, optimizing their impact on mental and physical health, academic success, social connectedness, and a sense of belonging. The findings from this study will be shared with university officials, providing timely insights that can inform policy decisions in near-real time.
“Kent State has a strong commitment to promoting student well-being, sense of purpose, and belongingness,” said Melody Tankersley, Senior Vice President and Provost at Kent State University. “In fact, the first words of the guiding principles for the university are ‘Priority 1: Students First – ensure Kent State is a university where students thrive, belong, graduate, become engaged alumni and lifelong learners committed to a life of impact.’ The recently-launched Student Life Study embodies this commitment and combines the elements of a longitudinal research study and personalized wellness intervention program.”
In addition to close collaboration with university administrators, the materials and methods developed through this study will be freely shared with colleges and universities nationwide, fostering a network aimed at enhancing the college experience for millions of students.
“The Kent State University Student Life Study is a groundbreaking initiative that aligns closely with the mission of the Coalition for Transformational Education to inspire the academy to prioritize wellbeing,” said Keith Buffinton, Executive Director of the Coalition. “We are thrilled to welcome Kent State University and look forward to the valuable insights and innovations their study will bring to our community.”
About the Coalition for Transformational Education: The Coalition for Transformational Education is a group of leaders in higher education dedicated to promoting evidence-based, learner-centered education that fosters lifelong wellbeing and work engagement. Through collaboration, experimentation, and the sharing of best practices, the Coalition aims to bring transformational educational experiences to students everywhere.
About the Kent State University Student Life Study: The Student Life Study is a first-of-its kind program to connect all aspects of college life – mental and physical health, social belonging, academic and career success, equity and inclusion, among many, many others. Their primary goal is to improve students’ lives while they are here at KSU and as they continue beyond
Contact:
Dana Humphrey
Associate Director
]]>The Coalition for Transformational Education (CTE) is excited to welcome the University of Denver (DU) as its newest member. DU joins the Coalition through the groundbreaking 4D Experience, a university-wide strategic initiative dedicated to preparing students for lifelong learning, engagement, and thriving.
Established in July 2021, the 4D Experience is led by the Provost and the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. This initiative engages faculty and staff across the university in conversations, programs, and initiatives aimed at enhancing student thriving by facilitating engagement with four key dimensions: intellectual growth, well-being, character exploration, and purpose. Through signature experiences, mentorship, and reflection, students gain the opportunities, relationships, and skills necessary to develop the foundations for their own flourishing and to contribute to thriving communities and societies.
“One of our top strategic imperatives as a university is our commitment to providing students with a unique, global and holistic experience by helping them thrive academically, personally, and professionally,” said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Mary Clark. “Creating life-transformational educational experiences is directly aligned with our Four-Dimensional (4D) Experience model. We see experiential learning, mentorship, and reflection as the drivers of 4D and have worked with faculty and staff to ensure we are embedding these elements across the arc of a student’s experience.”
The 4D Experience at DU embodies the Coalition’s mission to bring life-transformative experiences at scale for students, delivering on the promise of higher education. “We are thrilled to welcome the University of Denver to the Coalition for Transformational Education,” said Keith Buffinton, Executive Director of the Coalition. “University of Denver’s 4D Experience aligns extremely well with the Coalition’s mission, and their dedication to fostering intellectual growth, well-being, character, and purpose connects directly with our goals. We believe their innovative approach will inspire and enrich our entire community, helping to raise the standard for what transformational education can achieve.”
About the Coalition for Transformational Education: The Coalition for Transformational Education is a group of leaders in higher education dedicated to promoting evidence-based, learner-centered education that fosters lifelong wellbeing and work engagement. Through collaboration, experimentation, and the sharing of best practices, the Coalition aims to bring transformational educational experiences to students everywhere.
About the University of Denver: The University of Denver, through its 4D Experience, is dedicated to preparing students for lifelong learning, engagement, and thriving. By focusing on intellectual growth, well-being, character exploration, and purpose, DU creates a unique educational approach that develops the whole person, preparing students to be leaders and engaged citizens.
Contact:
Dana Humphrey
Associate Director
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ONU’s membership in the Coalition is marked by the launch of a pilot project focused on creating an immersive, design-focused experiential learning opportunity. This innovative pilot is designed not only to provide impactful experiences for students but also to explore pathways to sustaining such transformative educational practices long-term, ensuring that future generations of students continue to benefit from these enriching experiences. Past similar initiatives at ONU have significantly enhanced students’ sense of belonging and agency, and this project aims to build on those successes.
“We are excited to welcome Ohio Northern University to the Coalition for Transformational Education,” said Keith Buffinton, Executive Director of the Coalition. “ONU’s dedication to experiential learning and its strategic vision for student success make them an excellent match for our Coalition. Their pilot project promises to provide valuable insights into sustaining transformative educational experiences, furthering our shared goal of delivering life-changing education to students.”
ONU’s strategic plan states, “Our purpose is to give all our students access to great careers and flourishing lives,” reflecting a deep commitment to student success that resonates with the Coalition’s objectives. By joining the Coalition, ONU strengthens its resolve to create educational environments that nurture student wellbeing, engagement, and achievement.
About the Coalition for Transformational Education: The Coalition for Transformational Education is a group of leaders in higher education dedicated to promoting evidence-based, learner-centered education that fosters lifelong wellbeing and work engagement. Through collaboration, experimentation, and the sharing of best practices, the Coalition aims to bring transformational educational experiences to students everywhere.
Ohio Northern University: Located in Northwest Ohio, Ohio Northern University is a private institution that offers distinctive, nationally recognized programs of study that prepare students to lead, excel and serve throughout the world. In 2024, ONU graduates enjoyed a 96% placement rate in full-time jobs and graduate school admissions. The University and its academic programs are consistently ranked as being among the best in the region, state and nation by entities such as the Wall Street Journal and U.S. News & World Report. ONU’s 3,000 students are enrolled in more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs offered within the colleges of Arts & Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering, Business Administration and Law. To learn more, visit www.onu.edu.
Contact:
Dana Humphrey
Associate Director
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