In Putting Students First, the authors argue that colleges can and should invest in holistic student development by recognizing and building on the students search for purpose in life, intellectually, spiritually, and morally. Based on a study conducted at ten religiously-affiliated schools, the book urges all colleges to rethink their approach to teaching and advising the increasingly diverse students of today; their critical mission should be to prepare students to become ethically responsible and active contributors to society, as well as critical thinkers and skilled professionals. Putting Students First offers perspectives and recommendations in areas of holistic student development such as Understanding millennial college students The role of faculty in defining culture The design and implementation of curriculum The impact of cocurricular involvement Fostering relationships with on-campus and off-campus communities By organizing the campus environment into 4Cs culture, curriculum, cocurriculum, and community the authors create a conceptual framework for faculty, student affairs staff, and administrators to discuss, plan, and create college environments that effectively support the learning and development of students. Each chapter includes an introduction, evidence and analysis, a summary, and questions to help readers consider how to develop students holistically on their own campuses.

In Putting Students First, the authors argue that collegescan and should invest in holistic student development byrecognizing and building on the students' search for purposein life, intellectually, spiritually, and morally. Based on a studyconducted at ten religiously-affiliated schools, the book urges allcolleges to rethink their approach to teaching and advising theincreasingly diverse students of today; their critical missionshould be to prepare students to become ethically responsible andactive contributors to society, as well as critical thinkers andskilled professionals.Putting Students First offers perspectives andrecommendations in areas of holistic student development suchas* Understanding millennial college students* The role of faculty in defining culture* The design and implementation of curriculum* The impact of cocurricular involvement* Fostering relationships with on-campus and off-campuscommunitiesBy organizing the campus environment into"4Cs"--culture, curriculum, cocurriculum, andcommunity--the authors create a conceptual framework forfaculty, student affairs staff, and administrators to discussplan, and create college environments that effectively support thelearning and development of students. Each chapter includes anintroduction, evidence and analysis, a summary, and questions tohelp readers consider how to develop students holistically on theirown campuses.

About the Authors ixForeword xiAcknowledgements xiiiIntroduction xviiPutting Students First 1IntroductionWhy Is It Important to Put Students and Their Development First?Who Are Today's College Students?Who Develops These Students?In What Context Is Holistic Development Occurring?Why Study Church-Related Colleges and Universities?SummaryConceptual Framework and Design of the Project 19IntroductionTheoretical Bases for Holistic Student DevelopmentFaith, Spirituality, and Student DevelopmentStudent Development and the Church-Related ContextConceptual Framework: Personal Investment TheoryProject DesignSummaryCulture 43IntroductionDiscerning and Acting on Institutional MissionBuilding on a LegacyCommunicating Institutional Mission and IdentityLeadershipCollege LocationCampus FacilitiesExpectations and Contributions of FacultyFaculty as Role ModelsUsing a Career Perspective on Faculty DevelopmentFaculty Evaluation as a Reflection of CultureSupport and ChallengeSummaryQuestions for Campus ConversationsCurriculum 87IntroductionPhilosophical Foundations of the CurriculumCentrality of a Liberal Arts EducationIntegrating Faith and LearningWorldviewsPedagogyDevelopmentally Tailored Experiences for StudentsPedagogy of Engagement: Field-Based and Community-Based LearningSummaryQuestions for CampusConversationsCocurriculum 129IntroductionMutual Reinforcement of LearningCampus RitualsResidence LifeStudent LeadershipRelationships With Coaches, Professional Staff, and Campus MinistryFaculty InteractionsImmersion ExperiencesSummaryQuestions for Campus ConversationsCommunity 159IntroductionShared GovernanceDefining CommunityMaintaining Community Amidst ChangeDiversity Within CommunityCommunities Beyond the CampusDealing With Difference and External CommunitiesSummaryQuestions for Campus ConversationsCreating Communities That Put Students First 191IntroductionChapter OverviewMission Is Reality, Not RhetoricLearning and Development Are IntegratedThe Campus Community Fosters Support and ChallengeSummaryBibliography 219Index 241