The Holy Family Experience

The Holy Family Experience is a values-based core curriculum that focuses on the development of transferable skills through the delivery of academic content.

Built upon the Holy Family University’s six Core Values (Family, Integrity, Vision, Service & Responsibility, Respect, and Learning), The Holy Family Experience will help students develop proficiency in 36 transferable skills.

Each value will include six relevant skills that students will have an opportunity to develop.

Core Values and Skills

Family

I. As a core value, Family involves recognizing the importance of relationships and connections in one's life. It involves fostering strong bonds, open communication, patience, and a sense of unity.

1. Collaboration is the ability of two or more individuals working together to achieve a goal
2. Interpersonal Communication is the ability to effectively exchange information, thoughts, feelings, and ideas with others in a way that builds and maintains positive relationships
3. Conflict Resolution is the ability to address and resolve disagreements or disputes between individuals or groups in a constructive and positive manner
4. Listening is the ability to actively and attentively receive, interpret, and understand verbal and nonverbal messages from others
5. Patience is the ability to remain calm and composed in the face of challenges, delays, or difficult situations, without becoming frustrated or anxious
6. Adaptability is the ability to adjust, learn, and thrive in changing conditions, environments, or circumstances

Integrity

II. Integrity, as a core value, encompasses the adherence to moral and ethical principles, honesty, and consistency in actions. It involves living in accordance with one's deeply held beliefs, even when faced with temptations or challenges that may compromise them.

1. Honesty is the ability to be truthful, transparent, and sincere in one's words and actions
2. Humility is the ability to maintain an open and modest attitude, acknowledging one’s limitations, and being receptive to feedback and other’s perspective
3. Ethical Reasoning is the ability to analyze and evaluate situations, dilemmas, or decisions from an ethical perspective
4. Courage is the ability to confront fear, take calculated risks, and persevere in the face of adversity
5. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and withstand challenges while maintaining a positive and proactive mindset
6. Self Awareness is the ability to consciously and objectively understand oneself, including one's thoughts, emotions, strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and value

Vision

III. The core value of Vision refers to the ability to conceptualize and pursue long-term aspirations with clarity and purpose. It involves having a clear understanding of one's goals and a strategic plan for achieving them, often extending beyond immediate circumstances to encompass broader, future-oriented perspectives.

1. Problem Solving is the ability to analyze, evaluate, and find effective solutions to challenges or complex situations
2. Creativity is the ability to generate innovative ideas, think divergently, and approach problems or tasks in original and unconventional ways
3. Persistence is the ability to remain committed to a goal despite facing obstacles, challenges, setbacks, or repeated failures
4. Resourcefulness is the ability to effectively and creatively find solutions to problems, make the most of available resources, and adapt to changing situations
5. Decision-Making is the ability to analyze information, weigh options, and choose a course of action among alternatives
6. Agency is the ability to take charge of one's own actions and shape one’s own outcomes

Service and Responsibility

IV. Service and Responsibility, as a core value, calls for the acknowledgment of and dedication to contributing positively to the well-being of others and the community at large.  It involves taking ownership of one’s choices and behaviors, striving to meet obligations to God, self, others.

1. Accountability is the ability to effectively manage one's responsibilities, acknowledge mistakes, and follow through on commitments
2. Discipline is the ability to regulate one's actions, adhere to routines, and stay committed to goals despite challenges or distractions
3. Compassion is the intentional behaviors and actions aimed at contributing to the well-being of others, fostering positive relationships, and creating a supportive community
4. Time Management is the ability to effectively plan, organize, and prioritize tasks and activities to make the most efficient use of time
5. Organization is the ability to effectively structure, arrange, and manage tasks, resources, and information in a systematic and orderly manner
6. Advocacy is the ability to effectively and passionately support or champion a cause, idea, or group of people

Respect

V. Respect, as a core value, embodies a deep appreciation and consideration for the inherent worth, dignity, and rights of all individuals, regardless of differences in background, beliefs, or perspectives. It involves treating others with courtesy, kindness, and fairness, and valuing their autonomy, opinions, and perspectives.

1. Openness is the ability to be receptive to new ideas, diverse perspectives, and constructive feedback
2. Empathy is the ability to actively engage with others, demonstrate sensitivity to their emotions, and respond with understanding and compassion
3. Compromise is the ability to find mutually acceptable solutions in situations where there are conflicting interests, opinions, or goals
4. Etiquette is the ability to understand and apply socially accepted behaviors and manners in various situations, fostering positive interactions and relationships
5. Cultural Sensitivity is the ability to understand and respect the diverse beliefs, values, and customs of different cultures
6. Professional Communication is the ability to convey information clearly, concisely, and appropriately in various professional settings

Learning

VI. As a core value, Learning encompasses a lifelong commitment to acquiring knowledge, skills, and experiences that foster personal growth and development. It involves an inherent curiosity to new ideas, perspectives, and opportunities for intellectual enrichment.

1. Critical Thinking is the ability to analyze, evaluate, and interpret information objectively
2. Curiosity is the inclination to seek knowledge, explore new ideas, and ask questions
3. Self Reflection is the ability to introspectively examine one’s thoughts, actions, and experiences
4. Study Skills is the ability to use the techniques that enable one to effectively acquire, retain, and apply knowledge, including note-taking, test-taking, and memorization strategies
5. Technological Literacy is the ability to understand, use, and evaluate technology effectively
6. Information Literacy is the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use information from various sources

Designing Your Own Path

A vocation is a divine calling to utilize one’s personal gifts and talents in the service of others. This sense of calling is at the heart of Holy Family University's motto, teneor votis, which translates to: “I am bound by my responsibilities” to God, to self, and to society. Knowing just what those responsibilities are, or what they should look like in a student’s own life, can be a challenge. The goal of The Holy Family Experience is to assist students in designing a path to their vocation.

Most core curricula at other institutions require students to take a check list of courses from a number of different disciplines usually done in the first year or two of study.  For example: two second language courses, two history courses, etc. The Holy Family Experience, on the other hand, breaks its course work down into four tiers across all four years of learning.

Tier One offers students five foundational courses. These required courses allow students to experience Writing, Public Speaking, Religion, Philosophy, and Science.

Tier Two affords students the freedom to select five courses based on their preferences with the primary objective of expanding academic breadth.

Tier Three focuses on integration because learning does not happen in a silo and employers will expect our graduates to have the ability to synthesize and apply information from diverse perspectives. Students can experience integrated learning through a number of course modalities. Many courses in this tier are team-taught interdisciplinary courses. Others are community integration courses, which means they are weekend intensive courses which incorporate experiences in the community.  This tier also includes travel courses both domestically and abroad.

Alongside these three tiers are three support courses known as Blueprint courses  They focus on keeping students successful across the first three years. In the first semester of year one, students will take HFE 100. It is a one credit course that focuses on making a successful transition to university life. In the fall semester of year two, students take HFE 200. This is a one-credit course that helps students persist with determination on the path to degree completion. In the third year students take HFE 300 which is focused on navigating senior year and beyond.

In the fourth year students take a three credit HFEX 400 course that focuses on synthesizing all that students have learned and evaluating how well each individual student has developed the 36 essential skills.  

The Holy Family Experience stands apart by weaving our core values into every aspect of our core curriculum. With four tiers to explore, students dive into foundational courses, broaden their horizons, tackle interdisciplinary challenges, and gear up for success. This approach doesn't just prepare students for various career paths; it also helps them to grow personally, and to build resilience for whatever comes their way in an ever-changing world.