Providing the optimal education requires an optimal student experience that reaches beyond academic benchmarks to a deliberately created optimal learning environment. How students perceive and feel regarding the interactions within a program, college and or institution impact academic learning/achievement, social emotional well-being, and their resiliency as a student and post-graduation. Institutions, administration, and faculty spend considerable time and attention to the academic component of the student experience such as program development, faculty expertise, and curriculum followed with assessment of success based on outcomes such as academic performance, graduation rates, and licensure pass rates. More recently there is an increased awareness of the increasing rigor and expectations that result in increased stress, anxiety, and fear of failure. There is increasing awareness and a body of knowledge that supports the need to develop a holistic approach to student education and develop strategies to support the social emotional needs of students.

The enhanced strategies of resilience & decreased self-imposed pressure for perfection will have significant impact on student performance and well-being. For administrators, faculty and staff this pro-active approach will help establish increased mentoring relationship with students and will have reduced academic and conduct issues to deal with. The alumni will experience a longer and more meaningful reciprocal mentoring relationships with the program and the resilience, self-reflection and resourcefulness learned through this approach will help them reap the downstream benefits of increased job satisfaction and reduced burnout. The alumni will be more likely to attain well-paying jobs and achieve productive life goals, which increases their potential to contribute positively to both society and their alma mater. At the intuitional level, this approach will improve student academic performance including graduation and licensure pass rates, reduce dropouts, improved campus safety and alumni involvement and philanthropic support.