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.

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.

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:

• Strengthening programs to engage faculty and staff with BC’s mission.
• Advancing a culture of care and inclusivity.
• Creating opportunities for conversation and learning within the community.
• Developing formation programs for graduate and professional students.
• Promoting BC’s Jesuit heritage.

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:

1. Development of a Signature Course on Purpose
   The Melrose & The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership at the Opus College of Business, under the leadership of Dr. Christopher Michaelson, is in the beginning stages of developing a signature course that will help students explore meaning and purpose in their careers. The Purpose Project will support the pilot course and help reach all undergraduate students with its content.
2. Introducing Sophomores to Vocation and Purpose
   Recognizing that second-year students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, are at a critical stage for vocational exploration, the Purpose Project will expand an existing initiative that helps first-generation sophomores develop skills in reflection, listening, and vocational exploration.
3. Connecting More Students to Storytelling
   The College of Arts and Sciences is championing initiatives that allow students to develop their sense of identity and purpose through storytelling. This includes a story exchange with Narrative Four and student-run Story Slams on campus. The Purpose Project will elevate these storytelling opportunities, making them accessible to the entire student population.

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.

UF Quest is part of the general education curriculum. Quest courses examine questions about the human condition that are difficult to answer and hard to ignore. Quest courses ask students to consider why the world is the way it is and what they can do about the problems confronting us.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”http://thecte.org/project/university-of-florida/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”See Project Page” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

The program builds on the principles of whole person education by supporting faculty and campus resource professionals as partners in incorporating health and well-being issues into the classroom.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”http://thecte.org/project/georgetown-university/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”See Project Page” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Episode 22 with the Coalition for Transformational Education

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

In Episode 22, Larry Galizio, Ph.D. speaks with Keith Buffinton, Ph.D., Executive Director, and Richard K. Miller, Ph.D.,  Founding Chair of the Coalition for Transformational Education, about the mission of the coalition, how it was founded, and the importance higher education has on student lives and mental health after graduation. 

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://www.buzzsprout.com/1534705/13550001-episode-22-with-the-coalition-for-transformational-education” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Listen to Podcast” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

How can colleges ensure that all students emerge with a sense of agency and purpose that improves their well-being decades later?

As belief in the value of higher education has steadily declined in recent years, most of the attention for turning that around has been on improving the career readiness of graduates and making college more affordable. 

But an emergent group of college leaders believes the real key may be to ensure that all learners, regardless of background, have experiences in college that help them develop identity, agency and purpose with the goal of improving their well-being 30 years down the road. 

This episode of The Key features a conversation with Richard K. Miller, president emeritus of Olin College of Engineering and a driving force behind the Coalition for Transformational Education. In our interview, he discusses how the coalition’s diverse group of members are using data-informed experiments to rework their curriculums and scale the use of project-based experiences to build a sense of belonging and a growth mindset for all of their students.

Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Editor Doug Lederman. This episode is sponsored by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https://www.insidehighered.com/podcasts/key-podcast/2023/05/10/ep-96-creating-higher-ed-experiences-transform-lives” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Go to Podcast” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_button=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]