Learning without limits

At Iowa State, learning can happen anywhere and everywhere. The Division of Student Affairs offers places and programs for students to step outside the classroom and find a fresh perspective.

  • Students sitting outside

    Co-Curricular Learning Domains

    The Division of Student Affairs follows five Co-Curricular Learning Domains and their related definitions and dimensions (CCLDs). This resource provides a consistent framework and common language across all our departments, programs, and services. The CCLDs also reflect the values shared by the division and the Iowa State University Strategic Plan.

  • Male student mowing area of grass.

    Career Readiness Competencies

    Whether it’s leading fitness classes, serving meals, or tutoring, every job a student does within the Division of Student Affairs can help prepare them for a career after college. Our eight Student Employee Career Readiness Competencies (CRCs) give a framework and a language for describing the sought-after skills and experience we help students develop while working within the Division of Student Affairs.

Learning in unconventional spaces

On campus, around town, or across the ocean, students can expand their education and explore new opportunities in ways that can’t be captured in a textbook at Iowa State.

  • Students in dorm room

    As part of a community

    Students who call campus home learn to be part of a larger community while gaining valuable life skills, like time management, relationship building, and organization.

  • traveling

    When traveling to new places

    By participating in the National Student Exchange, students can experience diverse perspectives while continuing classes and pursuing research, field study, or internships.

  • Male employee making a sandwich and smiling.

    While on the clock

    For students who work within the Division of Student Affairs, the experience means more than just a paycheck. ISU Dining, the university’s largest student employer provides on-the-job training and leadership opportunities. 

Stretching your legs and your mind

Staying healthy and strong is important to achieving academic success—and a happy life. The Division of Student Affairs takes a holistic approach, supporting students and teaching them how to be well physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.

  • Two women smiling at each other with food in front of them inside a dining hall

    When developing healthy habits

    Students can learn to improve old habits or create new ones. Student Wellness offers programs and services that focus on sleep, nutrition, sexual health, substance use prevention, and other areas that could cause concern.

  • Group of people in a fitness class lifting weights.

    As you try something new

    Whether an experienced athlete or just starting out, students of all abilities can take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities and more than 50 programs and activities offered by Recreation Services. There’s even something for gamers and esports enthusiasts!

  • Student painting pottery

    While practicing self-care

    Life can be tough, especially when you’re in college. Group and one-on-one counseling, training, and workshops meet students’ individual needs and help them develop knowledge and skills to enhance their life.

Co-curricular learning domains

Civic engagement 

Supporting the process of students becoming responsible, engaged citizens who contribute to global and local communities.

Social and civic responsibility, and global perspective.

Intrapersonal development

A reflective process through which students are able to develop, define, and integrate their personal identities, values, and beliefs into everyday actions, choices, and decisions.

Self-awareness and understanding, ethics, purpose-driven, accountability and integrity. 

Leadership 

A relational and ethical process of people together attempting to accomplish positive change.

Empowering, ethical, group-oriented, process-oriented, and purposeful. 

Wellness

An active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward a successful existence. 

The dimensions of wellbeing include: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual. 

Career readiness competencies

Collaboration and teamwork

Engage in intentional interactions among groups and/or individuals of differing backgrounds directed at achieving a shared goal. Able to work productively within a team structure, and identify and manage group dynamics.

Communication

Articulate thoughts and concepts clearly and effectively in written and oral forms, in a manner conducive to fostering professional relationships. Including the demonstration of proficient speaking and listening skills, to clearly express oneself and receive ideas of others.

Professionalism 

Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits (e.g., punctuality, working productively with others, and time management) and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image. Demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior, act responsibly, and be able to learn from mistakes.

Intercultural perspectives

Understand personal identities. Value, respect, and learn from divergent viewpoints. Demonstrate openness, inclusiveness, and the ability to interact respectfully with all people. Appreciate individuals’ differences.

Leadership

Identify the strengths of self and others to achieve common goals and use interpersonal skills to coach and develop others. Manage emotions and acknowledge those of others to inspire, guide, and empower; and organize, align, and prioritize team tasks for positive change.

Learning and application 

Acquire knowledge, skills, and experiences and apply academic and job-based learning in novel and innovative ways. Application can happen through simple connections among ideas and experiences, to synthesizing and transferring learning in various contexts and environments.

Critical thinking and problem solving

Synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways. Design, evaluate and implement strategies or interventions to answer questions, make decisions, or achieve a desired goal.

Technology 

Integrate and utilize technology ethically and efficiently, and discern when technology is appropriate to the task at hand. Adapt to new and emerging technologies to complete tasks and accomplish goals based on organizational purpose.