The Center for Human Flourishing exists to help students prosper intellectually, personally, spiritually, and vocationally, by translating research-based strategies for human flourishing and student thriving into practice. The Center’s offerings include courses, one-on-one coaching, peer-mentorship opportunities, fellowships, cultural immersions, internships, retreats, book clubs, speakers, and special events. Through innovative coaching and creative programming, the Center for Human Flourishing will empower students, develop character, foster a sense of belonging, and encourage human excellence within a Catholic anthropology.
Forming to Flourish
Aristotle defines human flourishing as the active state of living well through the practice of reason and virtue. The Center for Human Flourishing pursues this by attending to the whole person and guiding students on the journey of living a full life. Character development occurs through deliberate education and formation that enables students to thrive in college and flourish in adulthood. Center activities support formation through five pathways:
- Encounter: Engaging with coaches, mentors, and exemplars worth imitating.
- Instruction: Courses, seminars, book clubs, and programs that provide formation language and research on personal development.
- Practice: Character is built through consistent, reasoned decisions that become habit over time. Center opportunities include service, internships, retreats, summer intensives, and other unique programming.
- Reflection: Reflecting on experiences that will help develop practical wisdom.
- Witness: The formed become formers. Those involved become peer mentors or play key roles in other programming for incoming students and in extension programs.
Flourishing in College-Coaching Models
The Center provides direct, non-therapeutic coaching approaches (one-on-one, small group, workshops) to enhance formation efforts across the college. Coaching may include the following resources: CliftonStrengths, Temperaments, APEST, MCODE, Healthy Habits, Working Genius, Become and Ignite curricula, and Crucial Conversations.
Flourishing Post-College
The Center for Human Flourishing coordinates services with the Office of Career Services, providing foundational work related to students’ self-knowledge of their interests, strengths, desires, capacities and competencies so that they may better understand and pursue their career goals. As a result, students will be better prepared to:
- Connect with Benedictine alumni to facilitate career networking and mentorship
- Explore career counseling and development resources, as well as job opportunities and internship opportunities
- Ask career and academic-related questions
- Utilize Handshake and LinkedIn to join affinity groups within the Benedictine community based on professional field, interests and geographic area
- Understand their own decision-making process and discernment practices
Book Clubs
The Center for Human Flourishing hosts biweekly book clubs for Benedictine College students during the spring semester to strengthen reading skills, cultivate critical thinking, and build relationships. Participants debate big questions about meaning, purpose, and morality in society and explore ways to connect historical insight to the modern world.
Cultural Immersions
The Center offers immersion opportunities that help students build empathy and broaden their worldview through direct engagement with other cultures. Participants will engage in readings and group discussions on cross-cultural flourishing leading up to the immersion. These opportunities encourage students to challenge assumptions, foster self-discovery, and develop cultural capital.
Past Trips:
- Montgomery, Alabama
- Dublin, Ireland
- Charleston, South Carolina
