Theoretical Leap

Theories provide a starting point to help manage the real world. Through multiple theoretical stances people can attempt to predict the possible outcomes of any given situation before it happens. Taking a proactive stance on potential outcomes means that one could be the most prepared for decision making. College students are a unique type of creature. They are not all the same, yet there are commonalities in the process of maturation that occurs primarily amongst college aged students.

There are however, certain factors that can play into the development of a welcoming community for incoming college students. Having the knowledge of critical race theory does not mean that colleges should shy away from the inclusion of people from different socioeconomic or racial backgrounds, for fear of conflict. But knowing that different backgrounds could plat a significant role in conflicts that arise, and simultaneously resolving them. Being able to utilize certain theories a professional might be able to see what stage of moral development a student is at in order to help them achieve. Or a professional could asses what intellectual phase a student is in in order to aid a student's comprehension of a situation.

Theory in this particular instance can help faculty address a changing college climate. Many factors attribute to the college experience but there are certain social factors that educators and student affairs people should be paying attention to. The significant increase of Latino students, the declining economic conditions, the steady decrease of male athletes since the implementation of title IX all have contributed to the constantly evolving face of the college campus. Studying the climate in which students that we will influence therefore is essential to the improvement of the college experience for all involved.

Therefore it is our role to take the critical leap from the reading theory into the application of theory. In doing so we will be doing our best to maneuver students that have grown up in a different age for careers that might not exist yet. However. we push forward knowing that this path had been laid before us, and we shall do the same.