Relationship-Rich Education: How Human Connections Drive Success in College

Making connections in college is crucial for an excellent education, according to Peter Felten and Leo M. Lambert's book Relationship-Rich Education. They argue that relationship-rich environments can and should exist for all students at all types of institutions, and that all students learn best in an environment characterized by high expectation and high support. The book provides practical advice on how to develop and sustain powerful relationship-based learning in undergraduate education, particularly for first-generation college students.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2020
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

What single factor makes for an excellent college education? As it turns out, it's pretty simple: human relationships. Decades of research demonstrate the transformative potential and the lasting legacies of a relationship-rich college experience. Critics suggest that to build connections with peers, faculty, staff, and other mentors is expensive and only an option at elite institutions where instructors have the luxury of time with students. But in this revelatory book brimming with the voices of students, faculty, and staff from across the country, Peter Felten and Leo M. Lambert argue that relationship-rich environments can and should exist for all students at all types of institutions.

In Relationship-Rich Education, Felten and Lambert demonstrate that for relationships to be central in undergraduate education, colleges and universities do not require immense resources, privileged students, or specially qualified faculty and staff. All students learn best in an environment characterized by high expectation and high support, and all faculty and staff can learn to teach and work in ways that enable relationship-based education. Emphasizing the centrality of the classroom experience to fostering quality relationships, Felten and Lambert focus on students' influence in shaping the learning environment for their peers, as well as the key difference a single, well-timed conversation can make in a student's life. They also stress that relationship-rich education is particularly important for first-generation college students, who bring significant capacities to college but often face long-standing inequities and barriers to attaining their educational aspirations.

Drawing on extensive research and interviews with students, faculty, and administrators from a range of institutions, Relationship-Rich Education offers a comprehensive roadmap for creating and sustaining relationship-rich environments in higher education. The book provides practical strategies for building strong relationships between students, faculty, and staff, as well as for cultivating a culture of support and trust that promotes learning and personal growth. It also highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in relationship-rich education, recognizing that different students have different needs and perspectives and that a diverse learning environment can enhance the quality of relationships and the overall educational experience.

In conclusion, Relationship-Rich Education is a groundbreaking book that challenges traditional notions of what makes for an excellent college education. By emphasizing the importance of human relationships, Felten and Lambert offer a compelling argument for why relationship-rich environments should be available to all students at all types of institutions. The book provides a wealth of practical strategies and insights for creating and sustaining relationship-rich environments, and it is essential reading for anyone who is committed to promoting student success and personal growth in higher education.

Weight: 370g
Dimension: 146 x 222 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781421439365