Higher Education as a Caring Profession: What Students Want Their Professors to Know

• In Event: Supporting Students Across Campus

Abstract

The unique nature of the emergent adult (ages 18 to 25) has been impacted by an increase in the percentage of college students who have experienced depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental health diagnoses. These changing dynamics compel faculty to shift their understanding of teaching and learning from that of “subject matter content delivery” to that of a helping profession in which creating a climate of caring, mattering, and belonging is paramount. The literature on caring, mattering, and belonging can help faculty to develop this understanding. What is lacking in this line of research, however, is a “how to” guide for faculty. The aim of this research is to develop strategies that faculty can implement in their classes to communicate caring, mattering, and belonging to their student; thus, impacting both the academic success and social-emotional well-being to today’s college students.

Author

• Susan Kushner Benson, University of Akron