Learning Goals

Definition: Personal Development activities provide opportunities for students to reflect on their personal and social identities, engage in ethical reasoning, and develop a positive sense of self with the goal of assisting them in establishing an individual worldview.

Learning Outcome: Students who engage with Personal Development programs and services will:  

• recognize one’s personal and social identities,  

• identify, assess, and develop ethical arguments, and/or  

• develop a positive sense of self. 

KU Learning Goal: Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Themes and Descriptors:

• Identity Development
  • Recognizes one’s personal and social identities.
  • Integrates privileged and oppressed social identities into one’s conception of self. 
  • Identifies how culture and lived experiences contribute to one’s understanding of self. 
• Sense of Self
  • Applies self-compassion when evaluating personal skills, abilities, and growth areas. 
  • Applies relevant mental, emotional, and social information to managing one’s sense of self.  
  • Recognizes one’s own capacity to create new understandings from experiences and dialogue with others.  
  • Critiques and subsequently learns from past experiences. 
  • Uses self-reflection to gain insight.  
  • Exhibits skill building behaviors when addressing personal problems or difficulties. 
  • Balances needs of self with needs of others. 
• Ethics
  • Identifies one’s personal values or principles. 
  • Applies personal, communal, and/or societal values or principles when making ethical decisions. 
  • Articulates rationale for behavior using personal values or principles.  
  • Assesses one’s assumptions, considers alternative perspectives, and seeks clarity.  
  • Accepts personal accountability when one’s behavior is not aligned with personal, communal, and/or societal values or principles. 

Definition: Peer Engagement activities provide opportunities for students to effectively communicate, work collaboratively, and develop leadership skills with the goal of increasing their capacity for interdependence and collaboration. 

Learning Outcome: Students who engage with Peer Engagement programs and services will:  

• demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate with others, 
• engage in consensual, mutually beneficial relationships with others, and/or 
• applies effective leadership skills, styles, or approaches to situations. 

KU Learning Goals: Leadership and Collaboration, Effective Communication

Theme and Descriptors:

• Communication
  • Expresses ideas, opinions, or concepts in ways others can comprehend. 
  • Articulates a vision or shared purpose that encourages equitable participation and commitment from others. 
  • Listens to and considers others’ points of view. 
  • Seeks and considers feedback from others. 
• Collaboration
  • Creates consensual, mutually beneficial relationships with others. 
  • Seeks help from others or offers aid when attempting to address issues or challenges facing the group.  
  • Shares a group or organizational goal and works with others to achieve it.  
  • Works cooperatively with others, including people different from self and/or with different points of view. 
• Leadership
  • Adapts leadership style or approach based on the situation or people involved.   
  • Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills when working with others to meet the group’s mission, vision, and/or goals. 
  • Exhibits fair and consistent behavior when addressing issues or concerns involving group or member accountability. 
  • Listens to and considers feedback from others, regardless of title, position, or authority. 
  • Demonstrates ability to make difficult decisions, consulting organizational rules, policies, and/or values for guidance. 
  • Manages interpersonal conflicts in ways that deescalate the situation and address the underlying issues or problems. 

Definition: Social Responsibility activities provide opportunities for students to develop skills and competencies related to social justice and civic engagement with the goal of creating and contributing to positive social change.

Learning Outcome: Students who engage with Social Responsibility programs and services will:  

• recognize the influence systems of oppression have on oneself and others, and/or 
• demonstrate a commitment to affecting positive change in one’s community. 

KU Learning Goals: Social Awareness and Cultural Understanding

Themes and Descriptors:

• Social Justice
  • Seeks opportunities for shared participation in experiences with people different from oneself. 
  • Recognizes the influence systems of oppression have on the social identities and lived experiences of oneself and others. 
  • Challenges the unequitable, unjust, or harmful behavior of others in ways that affect meaningful change. 
  • Affirms and values the identities, experiences, and inherent worth of individuals and communities. 
  • Advocates to dismantle inequitable and exclusive barriers experienced by members of marginalized communities.  
• Civic Engagement
  • Educates oneself and others on current issues affecting members of the campus and Lawrence communities. 
  • Exercises socially responsible behavior for the betterment of others in the community.  
  • Participates in awareness activities, community building, and/or protests/demonstrations that directly affect one’s community. 
  • Contributes to community organizing or voting process to positively affect one’s communities. 
  • Participates in volunteering, direct service, mutual aid, and/or fundraising activities that promote the quality of life of others.  
  • Demonstrates consideration of the welfare of others in one’s decision-making

Definition: Lifelong Learning activities provide opportunities for students to acquire and integrate knowledge, problem solving, and practical skills to assist in living a healthy and productive life.

Learning Outcome: Students who engage with Lifelong Learning programs and services will:  

• Integrate knowledge and skills to manage and meet personal responsibilities,  
• engage in problem solving skills to address issues facing everyday life, and/or  
• develop strategies for achieving and maintaining personal health and wellness. 

KU Learning Goal: Analytical Reasoning

Keyword Descriptors:

• Cognitive and Practical Skills
  • Gains knowledge from a range of reliable sources and disciplines. 
  • Relates knowledge and skills gained to completing daily life tasks. 
  • Provides evidence of knowledge, skills, and accomplishments resulting from experiences and dialogue with others. 
  • Develops transferable knowledge and skills that can be applied to personal and professional pursuits.  
  • Sets and pursues short-term and long-term goals and objectives. 
  • Identifies, sets, and works to overcome barriers to achieving goals.  
• Problem Solving
  • Identifies the underlying issues or question before attempting to address a problem. 
  • Applies previously learned information to new situation. 
  • Seeks new information to solve problems or make informed decisions. 
  • Analyzes and interprets the relevance and quality of information from multiple reliable sources. 
  • Uses complex information to form an opinion or make a decision.  
  • Creates new approaches to solve a problem when conventional approaches are not applicable.  
• Health and Wellness
  • Identify and integrate strategies related to dimensions of wellness into one’s daily life.  
  • Engages in healthy or protective behaviors to prevent negative health outcomes. 
  • Identifies and reduces risk-taking behavior in which one has or might engage. 
  • Seeks assistance from others when faced with physical, emotional, or mental health issues. 
  • Applies strategies or skills learned from campus providers when addressing physical, emotional, or mental health issues. 
  • Articulates the relationship between health and wellness in accomplishing goals. 

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by the Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity will be able to:

• Apply concepts related to sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation to their identity development (Personal Development). 

• Discuss information related to programs, services, activities, and support networks available to the QT community (Lifelong Learning).  

• Demonstrate skills for forming healthy relationships with peers within the QT community (Peer Engagement). 

• Practice consensual allyship/advocacy when challenging systems that adversely affect the QT community (Social Responsibility). 

• Explain the relationship between systemic oppression and people’s lived experiences (Social Responsibility). 

• Explain how QT related information learned can be applied to achieve one’s goals (Lifelong Learning).  

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by the Counseling and Psychological Services will be able to:

• Identify strategies to solve or cope with personal problems or difficulties (Lifelong Learning). 

• Apply strategies to address or resolve personal problems or difficulties (Lifelong Learning). 

• Recognize campus and community resources and services that provide support to students (Lifelong Learning).  

• Demonstrate ability to manage one’s thoughts, behaviors, and emotions in helpful ways (Personal Development). 

• Practice behaviors that lead to healthy relationships with others (Peer Engagement). 

• Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively with other students and organizations (Peer Engagement). 

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by the Emily Taylor Women and Gender Equity Center will be able to:

• Explain how gender and feminist theories contribute to an intersectional feminist framework (Lifelong Learning).  

• Apply concepts related to social identities (e.g., sex, gender, race, class) to developing one’s sense of self (Personal Development). 

• Use relevant information when advocating for one’s holistic health and wellness as feminist practice (Lifelong Learning).  

• Apply intersectional feminist approaches and practices when challenging systemic issues affecting women (cis, trans, and nonbinary) and other folx (Social Responsibility).  

• Demonstrate ability to establish relationships with others within one’s communities for the purpose of collective action in addressing gender inequities (Peer Engagement).  

   

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by the Health Education and Resource Office will be able to:

• Recognize how their personal health choices affect the broader campus community (Personal Development). 

• Recognize the relationship between the eight dimensions of wellness and accomplishing academic and personal goals (Lifelong Learning). 

• Demonstrate ability to communicate and listen to peers who experience health issues in their daily lives (Peer Engagement). 

• Use self-advocacy skills with confidence when addressing health and wellness decisions (Personal Development). 

• Understand systemic barriers to healthcare affecting individuals with marginalized identities (Social Responsibility). 

   

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by the Hilltop Child Development Center will be able to:

• Demonstrate professional skills related to working in an early childhood education (Lifelong Learning). 

• Apply transferable skills (e.g., organizational skills, critical thinking, time management) to achieving personal and professional goals (Lifelong Learning). 

• Recognize the value associated with the diversity of children and their families (Social Responsibility). 

• Describe the attitudes and behaviors that contribute to maintaining positive relationships with children, teachers, and staff (Peer Engagement). 

• Apply ethical reasoning and professional guidelines to early childhood education (Personal Development). 

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by KU Memorial Unions will be able to:

• Recognize multiple aspects of identity and culture that contribute to one’s sense of self (Personal Development).

• Show ability to work cooperatively with peers and others within the KU and Lawrence communities (Peer Engagement). 

• Identify programs, services, resources, and facilities offered by Memorial Unions that promote student holistic health and wellness (Lifelong Learning). 

• Apply transferrable skills in meeting individual and professional goals (Lifelong Learning). 

• Use communication and leadership skills to achieve group or team goals (Peer Engagement).

• Demonstrate consideration for others in the KU and Lawrence communities through facilitation of and/or participation in service and volunteering activities (Social Responsibility).  

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by KU Recreation Services will be able to:

• Demonstrate behaviors that contribute to one's overall health and wellness (Lifelong Learning). 

• Demonstrate healthy, mutually beneficial relationships with others (Peer Engagement).  

• Apply transferable skills (e.g., risk management, organizational skills, critical thinking, time management) to achieving personal and professional goals (Lifelong Learning).  

• Use communication and leadership skills to achieve group or team goals (Peer Engagement).  

• Describe how one’s confidence in performing exercise skills or athletic abilities has improved (Personal Development). 

• Develop a plan for achieving long-term health and wellness goals (Lifelong Learning). 

• Show progress toward achieving long-term health and wellness goals (Lifelong Learning). 

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by KU Student Housing will be able to:

• Explain the relationship between diversity, equity, and inclusion and community building (Social Responsibility). 

• Identify campus resources and services that provide academic support to students (Lifelong Learning).

• Use campus and community resources that promote personal health and wellness (Lifelong Learning).

• Practice behaviors and skills that lead to positive relationships with others (Peer Engagement).  

• Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively with others in a group (Peer Engagement). 

• Identify how one’s behavior affects the residential and campus communities (Personal Development). 

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by Legal Services for Students will be able to:

• Recognize relevant information related to legal issues they may experience (Lifelong Learning). 

• Apply relevant information related to problem solving legal issues they may experience (Lifelong Learning). 

• Use self-advocacy skills with confidence when addressing legal issues (Personal Development). 

• Demonstrate effective written and verbal skills to improve communication with others (Peer Engagement). 

• Develop effective transferrable skills (e.g., time management, goalsetting, tax preparation, research) for future personal and professional use (Lifelong Learning). 

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by the Office of Multicultural Affairs will be able to:

• Apply intersectionality framework in developing one’s holistic sense of self (Personal Development). 

• Explain the relationship between systemic oppression and forms of inequality (Social Responsibility).  

• Use social justice and liberation concepts when challenging systemic barriers affecting people with marginalized identities (Social Responsibility). 

• Show ability to communicate effectively with other students about social justice and liberation (Peer Engagement). 

• Demonstrate skillset necessary for building healthy, affirming spaces for others (Peer Engagement). 

• Recognize campus and community resources for achieving personal, academic, and wellness goals (Lifelong Learning). 

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Center will be able to:

• Recognize how forms of systemic oppression contribute to the prevalence of sexual violence (Social Responsibility). 

• Apply prevention approaches and practices when challenging systemic issues contributing to sexual violence (Social Responsibility). 

• Identify characteristics of healthy, consensual relationships (Peer Engagement). 

• Use bystander intervention skills to prevent sexual violence (Lifelong Learning). 

• Identify support strategies and/or resources for those who have or may be experiencing sexual violence (Lifelong Learning). 

• Demonstrate self-care through identification of one’s social, emotional, and psychological needs (Personal Development). 

• Describe how identities and values influence one’s views on relationships and sexual violence (Personal Development). 

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by Sorority and Fraternity Life will be able to:

• Practice leadership skills to affect positive change in one’s organization or community (Peer Engagement). 

• Show a commitment to social justice by addressing systemic injustices affecting members of one’s organization or community (Social Responsibility). 

• Demonstrate consideration for others in the KU and Lawrence communities through participation in service and volunteering activities (Social Responsibility). 

• Use communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with others to achieve group or community goals (Peer Engagement). 

• Describe how one’s organizational values contribute to their personal identity, values, and belief system (Personal Development). 

• Recognize behaviors that promote health and reduce risk to oneself, organization, or community (Lifelong Learning).  

• Use ethical reasoning in personal and organizational decision-making processes (Personal Development). 

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by Student Conduct and Community Standards will be able to:

• Understand community expectations for student behavior (Lifelong Learning). 

• Apply community expectations for one's behavior to interactions with peers and other community members (Peer Engagement). 

• Understand the relationship between community expectations and one's personal values (Personal Development). 

• Apply community expectations and personal values in their ethical reasoning process (Personal Development). 

• Understand how one's behavior affects the broader campus community (Personal Development). 

• Understand the relationship between one's behavior and their ability to achieve their academic and personal goals (Lifelong Learning). 

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by Student Involvement and Leadership Center will be able to:

• Practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address organizational or community problems and issues (Lifelong Learning).  

• Use information learned and transferrable skills (e.g., organizational, technological, and time management skills) to achieve personal and professional goals (Lifelong Learning). 

• Use effective communication skills to work collaboratively with others to achieve goals (Peer Engagement). 

• Apply leadership concepts and practices for affecting positive change in one’s organization or community (Peer Engagement). 

• Recognize one’s strengths and areas for growth through reflecting on past experiences (Personal Development).

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by Student Support and Case Management will be able to:

• Recognize barriers to academic and personal success (Lifelong Learning). 

• Identify campus and community resources to assist during times of distress and/or crisis (Lifelong Learning).

• Implement an action plan that involves seeking support from campus and community resources (Lifelong Learning). 

• Demonstrates self-care through identification of social, emotional, and psychological needs (Personal Development). 

• Describe how health and wellness are related to achieving academic and personal success (Lifelong Learning). 

• Discuss the ways one’s behavior affects others in their campus community (Peer Engagement). 

Students who engage in programs, services, and activities provided by Watkins Health Services will be able to:

• Recognize the relationship between health and wellness and their ability to accomplish academic and personal goals (Lifelong Learning). 

• Recognize measures to prevent or reduce the risk of future health issues, injuries, or re-injuries (Lifelong Learning). 

  Understand relevant medical information for managing aspects of personal health and wellness (Lifelong Learning). 

  Apply relevant medical information to the development of personal health and wellness goals (Lifelong Learning). 

  Use self-advocacy skills with confidence when establishing relationships with healthcare providers (Personal Development).