How 5 Experts Say Colleges Can Create a ‘Holistic’ Student Experience

Educators use the word “holistic” to signal a commitment to students’ success academically and personally, in college and beyond. Holistic approach, holistic support — the term has become something of a buzzword. We asked five experts to interpret it by sharing one change institutions can make, in philosophy or practice, to improve the student experience.

• Amelia Parnell is vice president for research and policy at Naspa, a national association of student-affairs administrators in higher education, where she also directs the Research and Policy Institute, which examines effective practices to promote student success.

• Ashley Finley is vice president for strategic planning and partnerships and senior adviser to the president at the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

• Shauna Davis is executive director of holistic student supports at Achieving the Dream, a national network of nearly 280 reform-minded community colleges committed to improving student outcomes.

• Nance Lucas is executive director of the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, an interdisciplinary center at George Mason University, as well as the university’s chief well-being officer, helping to lead a campuswide effort to promote students’ learning and personal growth.

• Tiffany Beth Mfume is assistant vice president for student success and retention at Morgan State University, which has earned national recognition for its rising graduation rates.

Those people and two others — Randy Bass, vice provost for education at Georgetown University, and Josipa Roksa, a professor of sociology and education at the University of Virginia — visited The Chronicle’s office recently for a roundtable discussion of what a “holistic” student experience actually means. They explored how colleges can integrate learning and personal growth, keep up with effective practices, and consider systemic changes to engage and retain more students. The full roundtable report is available free here.