Teaching Purpose and Inclusion Starts with Teaching Values (Loop)

Where do values come from? They arise from our life experiences that in turn shape our perspectives and values. Held consciously or unconsciously, our values guide our decisions and actions. Can teaching students to clarify their values help them to know their purpose? Can it also help them manage conflicts with others that are values-based? St. Vincent de Paul provides a good example of someone who underwent such a clarifying process and it turned him toward service, inclusion, and the common good. This session will offer examples from Vincent’s life and introduce three student assignments that promote reflection on values and purpose used in the course, MPS 520 - Values-Centered Leadership. These assignments help students clarify their values, understand why other persons might hold different values, and better manage values-based conflicts. These assignments are: 1) A Baselines Values Assessment; 2) Writing a Personal Mission Statement; 3) Creating Your Leadership Development Action Plan.

Facilitated by Patricia Bombard (College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences)