Earlier this week, a post on Forbes.com outlined how some mental health experts are concerned that many emerging adults are forming unhealthy parasocial relationships with AI chatbots that have human-like features. Improving the social and emotional functioning of college students is a key interest for many in higher education. As outlined in a 2019 report by the American Psychological Association, it’s well established that students of often perform better academically when they display high levels of emotional intelligence and can relate well with others. Instead of creating new interventions, there’s increasing attention on applying the concepts of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) within many K-12 programs into higher education. This does not imply that college students should be taught childish skills but rather acknowledges the need to foster emotional coping skills and positive relationships throughout the academic careers of students.
Background On Social-Emotional Learning
A 2022 report on Everylearnereverywhere.org suggested that the best-known SEL model was developed by the Collaboration for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. According to a 2025 report on CASEL.org, this SEL model includes five core competencies of self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision making, social awareness and relationship skills. A 2025 report by National University states that SEL is not a specific course, but a philosophy that is woven within the school’s curriculum. According to this report, examples of SEL methods include having students role-play historical figures to develop empathy, allowing students to self-delegate their roles in group projects, teaching formal SEL topics during homeroom, and assigning journal activities. The mission of many SEL programs reflects a view that instilling grade assessed knowledge is only a partial goal of education and that the classroom is the first opportunity for many students to interact with others of various backgrounds, beliefs and abilities.
The Effectiveness Of Social-Emotional Learning
In 2023, the Yale School of Medicine released a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of SEL on more than half a million K-12 students around the world. The findings showed that SEL produced students with improved social and emotional skills, more positive attitudes and behaviors, as well as higher self-esteem, perseverance, and optimism. Furthermore, the report confirmed a positive impact on mental health as students reported more positive emotions while in school, as well as less anxiety, stress, and depression. There was also a crucial finding in that students in SEL programs also reported fewer suicidal thoughts.
A 2025 report on Edweek.org provided a summary of how educators perceive SEL programs. This report listed complaints such as limited time to teach SEL topics to students who are academically behind, having students who needs were beyond the scope of SEL teachings, and wanting more professional development in applying SEL methods. However, only five percent of educators reported a negative view of SEL programs while 71% reporting a somewhat positive to very positive view.
Social-Emotional Learning In Higher Education
A 2022 report by Inside Higher Ed argued that higher education should follow the lead of elementary and secondary educators in prioritizing SEL. Many colleges and universities appear to be doing this. For example, a 2025 report by the Havard’s Office for Advances in Learning summarized a guide for applying SEL in college classrooms. A 2024 study in the journal of Social and Emotional Learning: Research, Practice and Policy outlined the effectiveness of an SEL program in UK’s higher education, which included enhanced the positive emotional responses and wellbeing of students. A 2023 report on nova-edu.org further argued that SEL can be implemented throughout a college campus, including SEL-focused courses, within student support services, campus-wide initiatives, and residential programs.
Many colleges and universities already incorporate aspects of social-emotional learning on their campuses. However, SEL based schools view the promotion of social and emotional functioning in the same regard as teaching academic knowledge. Such a mentality shifts the roles of faculty, staff, athletic coaches, students, and could even enhance the function of higher education.
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