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Creating a Common Language on Campus:
Students, Faculty and Staff Grow Emotional Intelligence
with Innovative Curriculum
Can you improve emotional intelligence in higher education? This controlled study explores the impact of a 16-week semester course utilizing a social and emotional learning curriculum (SEL) for undergraduate students, faculty, and staff members at the University of Dubuque.
Overview
Situation: Recognizing the critical role emotional intelligence plays in creating a thriving campus community, the University of Dubuque wanted to explicitly teach social and emotional development to its students, faculty, staff and administrators – and measure the results.
Solution: The University of Dubuque partnered with Six Seconds to embed the Six Seconds Model of Emotional Intelligence in its Personal Empowerment program and measure the program’s impact with pre- and post- assessments.
Results: Students, faculty, and staff who completed the course showed significant growth in core emotional intelligence competencies compared to control groups, and reported significant increases in the ability to connect with self and others.
“Had this curriculum been introduced in my life sooner, I would be in a different place than I am now. When I look back on this experience 30 years from now, I will remember it as an experience that truly changed my life.”
– Grace Mangrich (SSS Grant Academic Advisor; TRIO/SSS), University of Dubuque
“This class helped me be able to recognize and regulate my emotions, which has in turn helped me to understand and connect more effectively with myself and others.”
– Regan Griffith, Sophomore, University of Dubuque
Situation
In the midst of a global youth mental health crisis that impacts millions of university students every year, research shows that emotional intelligence leads to increased academic achievement, student retention, better mental health, and greater career success. And yet, explicit, meaningful, campus-wide social and emotional development is missing from many institutions’ core curricula. The University of Dubuque committed to change this reality by implementing an SEL curriculum (KCG program) into its Personal Empowerment program. This program supports undergraduate students, administrators, faculty, and staff to grow social and emotional skills and develop a common language across campus.
Solution
The University of Dubuque implemented the KCG program (by Dr. Liza Johnson, published by Six Seconds) in its 16-week semester course for undergraduate students, faculty, and staff members, called Personal Empowerment (PE). Using a mixed method design, this study compares the emotional intelligence growth of students, faculty, and staff members in PE compared with that of undergraduate and graduate students who were enrolled in other courses. This research uses quantitative data from the Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence assessment (SEI) and the Brain Brief Profile assessments, including pre- and post-assessments, and qualitative focus groups.
Results
The data showed substantial increases in core emotional intelligence skills for the program’s participants compared to control groups.
HIGHER EQ
67% of course participants increased overall emotional intelligence scores
%
SIGNIFICANT GROWTH
24% of course participants showed double digit growth in overall emotional intelligence scores
%
GREATER EQUALITY
The mean EQ growth for female participants was 3x that of male participants
%
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Products & Services Delivered
EQ Skills
SEI – Six Seconds’ Emotional Intelligence Assessment is a validated psychometric tool for measuring emotional intelligence, used with over 250k people worldwide.
Brain Profiles
Six Seconds’ Brain Profiles distill the power of an advanced emotional intelligence assessment tool into one page for compelling, quick, meaningful insight.
College SEL Curriculum
Developed and tested with university students, faculty, staff and administrators, the KCG program (Participant Workbook plus Facilitator Guide) offers an in-depth EQ orientation.
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