Promoting a contemplative learning and teaching community

To date, several recent higher education news articles reported on the current struggles students face during their higher education experience. For instance, findings from the Gallup Purdue Index Report indicated that, of 30,000 college students, only 14% reported having a professor whom they perceived cared about them (Inside Higher Ed, 2014). This finding draws attention to the potential need for an ethic of care that may foster positive learning environments for optimal learning outcomes. Moreover, according to the American College Health Association 32% of student respondents reported feeling so depressed that it was difficult to function (Inside Higher Ed, 2015). This report draws attention to the negative feelings students may experience from a lack of present focus. Lastly, the Association of American Colleges and Universities (2015) surveyed business and nonprofit leaders about their views on current college graduates. Findings from the survey found 95% of employers indicated how college students would benefit from having experiences with people whose views are different from their own. Such experiences call for a nonjudgmental and unbiased approach to listening that might also be useful for real world intervention.