8 Reasons to Love the Abilities

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Everyone needs to be able to communicate, solve problems and work with others. But very few learn these skills as part of their formal education. Unless, of course, they’re Alverno students and alums.

Fifty years ago, Alverno sought to provide students with something more than a basic understanding of the subject matter being taught. We wanted our graduates to stand out, so we needed a curriculum that would stand out. It was through this desire that the 8 Abilities were born.

But the 8 Abilities represent more than “soft skills” that employers seek out. They are tools designed to set our graduates up for a lifetime of success in their professional and personal lives.

To celebrate 50 years of the 8 Abilities, we talked to students and alumnae who shared how the abilities impact their daily lives.

Aesthetic Engagement

“I had no idea how much something like aesthetic engagement mattered until I reflected on how much it plays a role in my daily life. It's not just about being open and appreciative of the arts, but reflecting on the artistic choices you make in your life. The ability is what allows us to be appreciative of the arts and become aware of how our own choices and others illustrate who we are as individuals and the world that we live in.”

— Vanessa Lund, Communication major, class of 2024

Analysis

“Analysis has proven to be a crucial skill of my daily life. From understanding and navigating my children’s meltdowns to anticipating the needs of my students and the chemistry labs in my role at Alverno, analysis has provided me with mental tools I need to analyze situations, understand the why and how, and the strength to plan how to proceed. While all the abilities work together, analysis has truly proven to be an ability for which I am grateful to Alverno.”

— Jenna Coss ’09, ’15

Communication

Communication has made it easier to express myself, which helps me to connect with others. As a student, learning communication has helped me to network, which has opened new experiences and new things for me. You can always learn from others and apply that knowledge, and communication is key to that.

— Jassleen Herrera, Media Design major, class of 2026

Developing A Global Perspective

“Developing a global perspective at Alverno let me experience that difference is necessary, sometimes it is uncomfortable, but we each have two eyes, two ears, and only one mouth for a reason. You have to observe and listen more than you speak to experience the larger world more richly. The global world is full of so much difference in race, background and experience that knowing this has helped me be brave in making bigger connections to the larger world around me.”

— Alexis B. Outlaw ’09

Effective Citizenship

"Being an effective citizen is something I have grown into throughout my education in the Social Work program. As I venture into the professional world through my internship, I understand the need to do my civic duties and be a functioning, responsible member of society. These skills help me as I continue to learn in school and act in my personal life because I am able to think about things through the lens of empathy and growth."

— Kat Grove, Social Work major, class of 2024

Problem Solving

Of all the 8 abilities, other than communication, I find problem solving to be the one I use daily. While my family taught me the basics of being a good problem solver, I believe my education at Alverno made me an even better one. I learned to consistently see multiple sides to a situation and how to effectively choose the best solution based on the situation. I’ve found that because I can lay out the steps to solve a problem, I’m often asked to assist on challenging projects to move it along or to provide different vantage points for the situation. I feel empowered that I learned in a way that was right for me, but also in a way that prepared me for whatever came my way.

— Dawn Groshek ’93

Social Interaction

“Learning about social interaction taught me how important it is to be active on campus, whether in class, in organizations or attending events. This ability has helped me improve my social skills and made it easier to interact with others and build a community. The opportunities at Alverno are endless. By challenging myself to step out of my comfort zone, I have been able to meet amazing people and be a part of something great.”

— Lizbeth Cruz, Business & Management major, class of 2026

Valuing in Decision Making

“People are asked to make big and small decisions every day. Some decisions have little to no consequences, while others can have big impacts on you personally, as well as on other people. By learning about valuing in decision making I’m able to make informed decisions that align with my core values, that are ethically sound, and based in best practices.”

— Brooke Wegner ’99, ’03