What’s the Value of EQ in Higher Ed?

Everyone knows how important it is to help children develop EQ or emotional intelligence. Studies have long shown that being smart about and sensitive to feelings leads to healthy relationships, self-awareness, and other positive traits that make for happy adults.

In the past few years, it’s also become clear how valuable EQ is in the workplace. Companies are working hard to recruit employees with emotional intelligence because they tend to be more collaborative, better listeners, and good at handling pressure.

But what about the developmental landscape that stretches between childhood and the working world? What role does emotional intelligence play in higher education? What are the benefits of EQ to students, faculty, staff, leadership, and university communities as a whole?

Experts from Fielding and other universities around the world answer that question in a free live webinar from 9 to 10 a.m. PST on June 7. “EQ in Higher Ed: Using Emotional Intelligence to Boost Leadership & Student Success” will offer examples and best practices for introducing EQ to university settings.

“The concept of emotional intelligence is emerging as a critical piece of any mission that a university might have,” says Susan Stillman, EdD, a faculty member in Fielding’s Infant and Early Childhood PhD program and the director of education for Six Seconds, a nonprofit dedicated to EQ awareness. “Whether your goal is to support incoming students and students in transition—or as at Fielding, to develop change agents for social and ecological justice—EQ can be a catalyst. It’s an opportunity to deepen our competencies for leadership and advocacy.”

In addition to Fielding faculty and the university’s President Katrina Rogers, PhD, the webinar will include presentations from leaders at community colleges, universities, and professional schools.

“People are just realizing that EQ is a fundamental set of skills for success in business, healthcare, law, medicine, education, and psychology,” Stillman says.

What exactly is EQ? At its simplest, it’s using thinking and feeling to make optimal decisions. To that end, some campuses are incorporating emotional intelligence training into their coursework.

“We’re educating our students in how to make a difference in the world, and they need to have EQ to increase their awareness, intention, and purpose,” Stillman says. “Whether it’s optimism or emotional literacy or empathy, emotional intelligence will better prepare students for the challenges that lie ahead.”

Other educational leaders are exploring the ways that EQ can benefit university policy-makers and administrators. “EQ can provide what higher ed leaders need to create a nurturing, sustaining, and effective climate,” Stillman says.

The free webinar is aimed at university faculty and administration, but students interested in EQ are welcome to attend. Register today—then come back on June 7 to learn!