Rethinking College Student Development Theory Using Critical Frameworks

Abstract

Within orientation, transition, and retention (OTR) and the broader scope of the student affairs profession, we collectively value practice informed by theory and research. However, despite it being nearly 100 years since our seminal text, The Student Personnel Point of View (American Council on Education, 1937), was published, we rarely take time to revisit and critique the theories informing our work. In Rethinking College Student Development Theory Using Critical Frameworks, Elisa S. Abes, Susan R. Jones, and D-L Stewart do just that by directing the work toward practitioners and avoiding the frequently inaccessible academic jargon associated with theory.

Keywords

• theory
• student development
• social justice