Student Development Theory

Why wouldn't we learn about student development theory? 

As Student Leadership Advocates, it is imperative for us to understand how students develop in college to understand how they develop as leaders. College is a place of learning and growing not only as a student and person but as a leader. We can utilize the student development theory to cater our facilitations to each individual and student organization. Evans notes that, 

"Student Development reflects theories of human growth and environmental influences as applied to in-class and out-of-class personal learning opportunities." 

For our fellow students, the out-of-class learning experience is facilitated by us. SLA directly affects student development through facilitations to student organizations. With knowledge of the student development theory, we have a base to start from in our facilitations, especially when dealing with new student organizations compared to established organizations.

We also benefit from learning the student development theory. We can understand our own journey through development as students, human beings, and leaders. A lot of people come in to college thinking they're hot stuff and are quickly put in their place. With development theory, students are able to look at their life through Chickering's seven vectors and analyze how far they have come and how much farther they need to go. 

If not now, when? 

Learning a foreign language is infinitely easier at a younger age than as an adult. The same goes for becoming a leader. Leadership can seem like a foreign language to some, especially those that don't see themselves as leaders. During your college years is the best time to develop as a leader. Leadership opportunities are endless, with thousands of student orgs, in the classroom, and even socially. With these opportunities, students can start their journey as leaders before entering the "real world". 

At Ohio State, the leadership resources are endless, why not take advantage of them while they are available, and while you are still developing as a student? According to Evans, 

"Student Development Theory is integrative in nature; it requires mutuality, equality, cooperation and collaboration among all parties (students, staff, faculty, and administration)." 

The students, staff, faculty, and administration at OSU are available and willing to further the development of students. A well-rounded student is the most successful student, and all of the aforementioned are here to help and want to see each and every student succeed.