Using Neuroscience and Positive Psychology to Enhance College Teaching and Learning

Abstract

A is a silent obstacle limiting many college students’ ability to thrive. Nearly three out of four college students experience overwhelming anxiety. In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent study found that 80 percent of United States’ students reported negative mental health effects. As educators, we cannot simply sit back, watch our students suffer and hope things will eventually get better. We must be proactive. L.A.C.E.—love, authenticity, courage and empathy—is a comprehensive approach that can address a wide variety of threats, fears and anxieties that students face. At the center of this approach, which I developed to improve the overall climate on my campus, is an understanding that universities are not ends to themselves but mechanisms to educate and create better societies. L.A.C.E. empowers college teachers and students to co-create successful learning environments and a sense of belonging for everyone. Scientific Foundations of L.A.C.E.