University of the PACIFIC

Social and Emotional Competencies (SEC) are a set of related, intentional behaviors of self-awareness, consideration, connection, and impacting others that foster successful outcomes in school, work, and life.  SEC emerged from the theory of social intelligence and emotional intelligence and is a culmination of applied research toward educational practice.

At Pacific, SEC is an integral component of our Pacific Rising 2015 Strategic Plan and an answer to our call to action for whole student learning.  It is not enough to produce the best and the brightest technical experts (in arts, sciences, business, education, engineering, music, dental, law or pharmacy) but to also to develop social and emotional expertise that raises the bar for future student success.

Pacific’s initiative in SEC started in 2005, under the advisement of Dr. Dan Goleman and Dr. Richard Boyatzis, building upon the University’s culture and commitment to whole person education and its mission to prepare graduates for “responsible leadership in their careers and communities.”  Pacific is the only US University with a comprehensive undergraduate SEC initiative.

The Center for Social and Emotional Competence (CSEC) at Pacific was officially established in 2009, under the direction of Dr. Craig Seal with support from faculty and staff.  The Center is now actively working toward developing a new model and measure of student social and emotional development as well as developing curricular and co-curricular development modules using SEC.

Mission

The Mission of the Center for Social and Emotional Competence is to facilitate whole student learning at Pacific through the development of social and emotional competence.  How well students develop their capacity to understand themselves, the world around them, build meaningful relationships, and foster positive changes in our world are all hallmarks of a Pacific education.

Vision

The goal of the Center for Social and Emotional Competence is to become a nationally recognized, self-sustaining, leader in research and practice of whole student learning through social and emotional competence development in higher education.

Goals

University

External Grant Funding for programs, research, and operations

Develop an International Advisory Board – Think Tank

Direct our SEC Task Force and Student Council

Cultivate internal partnerships with each School and Program at Pacific

Host Annual Symposium on Whole Student Learning

Develop a compelling, accessible, content-rich website

Develop a Sakai resource site for faculty, staff and students

Research and Assessment

Comprehensive research agenda that integrates assessment and practice

Scholarly papers on social and emotional development (theory, research and practice)

Self-assessment and other-assessment survey instrument

Integrate social and emotional development with leadership, cultural competence, learning outcomes, and academic/relationship/career outcomes

Building a comprehensive student profile/portfolio/assessment  of whole student learning using university wide learning outcomes and e-portfolio system

Teaching and Learning

Peer coaching programming model

Pacific Seminar course

Self-directed workbook (online and hardcopy) for student development, specific to Pacific and general for use at other institutions

Modular, flexible curriculum on social emotional development that can be used in the classroom, integrated into co-curricular, and available online