Critical thinking skills are a significant factor in student success in every college level major, discipline and professional field. Regional and professional accreditation standards address critical thinking which may just be the most important college level student learning outcome. Student Affairs can meaningfully partner with Academic Affairs in the development of student critical thinking.
Which Student Affairs programs can advance students’ critical thinking skills and habits of mind? All of them, but particularly through the Freshman Seminar program, residence life programming, student clubs and organizations, student publications, and service learning.