Facilitating personal growth in college studentsa spiral model and program plan

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to create a model for facilitating personal growth that is based upon a review of the literature of College Student Development Theory and of Humanistic Psychology. This spiral model of personal growth is rooted in the principles of Humanistic Psychology and incorporates some of the key developmental tasks of traditional age college students. These tasks include establishing identity, values assessment, developing purpose, goals clarification, and self-awareness. Developed from this model is a proposed program for use by College Student Development and Student Affairs professionals in helping college students unfold and grow. This program is designed to be used as a 10-week course, workshop, or program series for a group of students or may also be used in working with an individual student over the course of several meetings. Selected segments of the course can be used independently as a one-time program with a group or for helping an individual with a specific need addressed by one of the elements of the model.