ENHANCING STUDENT CONFIDENCE, STRENGTH OF CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP SKILLS
THE ALVERNO DIFFERENCE
WHAT IS THE ALVERNO DIFFERENCE?
Simply put, our 8 Abilities are what set our students and alums apart. These are the tools and skills that will help you to succeed both personally and professionally. Woven into every course, the 8 Abilities empower our students to become agents of change and principled leaders who meaningfully engage with their communities.
Thanks to the 8 Abilities, Alverno graduates are equipped to change the world.
ABILITIES 8
1. Aesthetic Engagement
2. Analysis
3. Communication
4. Developing a Global Perspective
5. Effective Citizenship
“Alverno’s 8 Abilities help to shape you into a woman who will succeed in all that she does. When I first started there, I was very shy. Alverno offers a lot of opportunities for growth and to master skills needed in everyday life. Alverno empowers you to be the woman you may have never dreamed you could be.”
— Amorina Cruz ‘196. Problem Solving
7. Social Interaction
8. Valuing in Decision Making
alverno.edu/8-abilities
1
ALVERNO LEADS THE WAY
In the early 1970s, Alverno sought to provide students with something more than a basic understanding of the subject matter being taught. We wanted our graduates to demonstrate what they know — to stand out — so we needed a curriculum that would stand out. It was through this desire that the 8 Abilities were born.
2
Lifelong skills
The abilities we weave throughout our curriculum represent the core, transferable skills that employers sought 50 years ago and continue to seek today. As those needs evolve, so do our abilities.
Alverno broke ground with our abilities-based, outcomes-focused approach to education. In the decades since, countless educators from across the U.S. and around the world have come to study and adopt this model of teaching and learning. Why? Because it works.
LEARN MORE
about how the 8 Abilities were developed.
WHY ALVERNO DOESN’T USE LETTER GRADES
• Students focus on their learning. They see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than as obstacles to their success.
• The impact of systemic drivers of inequality like race, gender, socioeconomic status and disability is reduced, leveling the playing field for all students. Regardless of what level they start at, students are assessed for their own individual rate of growth.
Students are encouraged to take more risks.
When they’re focused on performance and their strengths rather than grades, students are more willing to experiment with new ideas, leading to deeper learning and more creative thinking.
Student learning is more accurately represented. A single letter grade reflects a student’s ability to hit a one-size-fits-all benchmark, whereas our assessment-based model measures each student’s mastery of a subject and ability to apply knowledge and skill in real-world settings.
4
A better way to measure student growth.
We give students so much more than a single letter grade. We give them entire paragraphs of feedback, much like the performance reviews they’ll receive in the real world. This assessment lets students know what they’re doing well and where they can grow, fostering a desire for continuous improvement.
Our students get to know their strengths and opportunities for growth, and they push themselves to reach their highest potential.
Other well-respected institutions like Reed University, Brown University, Sarah Lawrence University, and Stanford and Yale Law Schools have since dropped standard letter grades. Alverno was one of the first, but we won’t be the last.
THE RESULTS
We believe in the power of the 8 Abilities to transform lives, but don’t take our word for it. A survey of more than 300 of our graduates found the 8 Abilities positively impacted both their learning and career experiences. Look for what they had to say throughout this book.
Nearly all found Alverno’s 8 Abilities curriculum provided an immersive educational experience.
70% VERY IMMERSIVE
24% MODERATELY IMMERSIVE
The 303 respondents graduated from Alverno College with their first degree between 1976 and 2019 and completed the survey in Spring 2023. Check out alverno.edu/8-Abilities for more results.
5
Since 1973, Alverno’s abilities-based curriculum has been described as innovative and revolutionary. We’ve been doing it longer than anyone. We believe the real benefit of knowledge is knowing how to apply it. At Alverno, we challenge students to “know it and show it.”
Our cutting-edge curriculum requires students to demonstrate excellence in their chosen fields while practicing and perfecting the skills most in demand by employers.
• Problem solving and analysis –for critical thinking
• Communication – in small teams and large groups using a variety of communication methods
• Global perspective and valuing in decision making – for a broad world view and ethical foundation
• Social interaction – students learn how to work effectively in teams and motivate their peers
EXPERTS IN OUTCOME-BASED
“I couldn’t have picked a better school. Everything Alverno does to encourage us to make connections and build our networks right from the start has helped me not be afraid to enter the real world. Everything I’ve learned and every connection I’ve made will last a lifetime.”
— Haydee Cruz ‘206
OUTCOME-BASED EDUCATION
Gallup research shows that graduates who developed transferable career skills while in college are twice as likely to have higher work quality on the job.
7
SKILLS DESIGNED TO EMPOWER YOU TODAY AND INTO THE FUTURE
The skills our students acquire will serve them today and help them navigate the future with confidence. All of our 8 Abilities are critically analyzed each year to determine their relevance and inspire a fresh perspective. Because the 8 Abilities are focused on a student’s individual growth, they help create a campus where faculty, staff and students intentionally support diversity, equity and inclusion as well as create awareness of neurodiversity.
8
Vanessa Lund
Alverno’s 8 Abilities
AESTHETIC ENGAGEMENT
The goal
Aesthetic engagement allows students to not only appreciate beauty in the world but to also make informed artistic and interpretive choices within and outside of the arts.
Why this is important
Mastering this ability allows students to discover and develop their own expressive voice, unique style and creative process. They cultivate critical skills like creativity, innovation, collaboration, resiliency, empathy, work ethic and risk taking, all transferable to various career paths.
“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. This 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 CLASS OF 2024Get to know
9
“Learning analysis at Alverno has made me a better leader. I understand how to ask the right questions, how to collect and consider relevant information, and how to use what I learn to make
ANALYSIS
The goal
Students who master this skill are clear, critical and independent thinkers. They combine data, experience, reason and expertise to make and reexamine judgments.
Why this is important
A keen ability to analyze situations allows our students to rely on their own thinking to negotiate their positions in the world. They have the mental power to examine complex or ambiguous arguments, sorting fact from fiction and determining the best path forward.
COMMUNICATION
The goal
Communicating effectively means integrating reading, writing, speaking and listening, as well as information technology, numeracy and growing attention to neurodiversity to meet the demands of increasingly challenging communication scenarios.
Why this is important
Our multi-dimensional approach makes our graduates agile communicators who bring an array of knowledge and skills to the ever-changing challenges of communicating in today’s world. Students who master this highly valued career skill will have a leg up in the workforce.
10
“I definitely walked in to my first year of law school with skills in public speaking, critical thinking and communication that were honed at Alverno and are crucial in law school and in my practice today.”
11
— Kaquishka Turner ‘11
DEVELOPING A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
The goal
Having a global perspective means understanding multiple viewpoints and taking into account the historical, political, economic, social and cultural systems that influence those viewpoints. It’s knowing that we are all citizens of the Earth, and that decisions made in one part of the world have the potential to affect events in another part of the world.
Why this is important
Students who develop a global perspective will be able to navigate the world by making informed judgments and refining their own ideas using views and values from diverse contexts, allowing them to work effectively with people from varied cultures and backgrounds.
“Alverno has helped me grow and to see the world as a whole when it comes to culture, government and traditions. I have learned to work together and share ideas with others in order to get things done.”
Sheilla Morales ‘2112
EFFECTIVE CITIZENSHIP
The goal
The effective citizen is an informed participant in civic life, whether through volunteering, active engagement in voting and advocacy, or everyday decisions in their personal and professional lives. Students learn how to identify, describe and assess issues that affect communities as well as how to develop their own action plans.
Why this is important Service and caring for others are at the heart of Alverno’s Franciscan values, and our students share a belief in the power of coming together to drive positive social change. Our graduates are equipped to contribute positively to their local, national and global communities.
THE RESULTS
PREPARED TO TAKE ON THE FUTURE
Career Demands & Expectations
75% VERY WELL 18% WELL
76% VERY WELL 18% WELL
“I take effective citizenship to heart because of the numerous amounts of issues it can touch on and the variety of ways it can be demonstrated. Effective citizenship as one of the 8 Abilities has given me a pillar to channel my passions for civic engagement, which has opened a world of opportunities within the Alverno community, the greater city of Milwaukee, as well as nationwide.”
Celestina Hertz CLASS OF 2024
13
Find a Job/ Pursue Graduate School
PROBLEM SOLVING
The goal
Students will be able to define problems and utilize a range of abilities and resources to reach decisions, make recommendations or implement action plans.
Why this is important
Problem solving isn’t just focused on getting to an answer, but also in looking at the situation through different lenses and paying attention to the ramifications for different stakeholders. Balancing the needs of everyone while finding a solution is a highly valued leadership skill.
“Alverno has prepared me for my professional success by encouraging me to look at everything with an open eye and approach everything with a holistic attitude. By being a student at Alverno, I gained the skills to use the 8 Abilities to problem solve in situations that people don’t feel comfortable with. I utilize the skills I learned in the classroom… to help people in need.”
— Joicenina Carvalho ‘1914
SOCIAL INTERACTION
The goal
Students will work well with others to achieve objectives, manage conflict and build relationships. They actively engage in one-on-one communication and in small- and large-group discussion and effectively use conflict management skills.
Why this is important
Social interaction has changed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the work that used to be done through group and face-to-face interactions has shifted to online meetings and text messaging. The methods may have changed, but the ability to build relationships, deepen understanding, manage conflict and reach decisions hasn’t.
THE RESULTS
Nearly all students said they frequently or moderately use the 8 Abilities at work, home or in their communities.
60% FREQUENTLY 26% MODERATELY
“Learning social interaction taught me how to understand different viewpoints and take them into account when deciding what is best for a situation. This also helped me become more open-minded with everyone around me as we all come from different backgrounds, which is what makes us distinctive individuals.”
— Mariana Lopez-Mireles CLASS OF 2025
15
Mariana Lopez-Mireles
“Alverno taught me to honor that voice within, that my value of relationship-building through honest interactions is the best approach for me and will always serve as a guide no matter the situation or circumstances.”
— Susan Berna ‘95In the survey, almost all felt Alverno’s 8 Abilities and performance-based assessment were more rigorous, more motivating, and held them more accountable than traditional letter-grading systems.
VALUING IN DECISION MAKING
The goal
Taking a variety of perspectives and experiences into account is an important part of decision making. We want students to understand the moral dimensions of their decisions and accept responsibility for any consequences in all facets of their life.
Why this is important
The ability to understand your own values as well as those of others transfers to all aspects of students’ personal and professional lives. This ability builds self-awareness, empathy and a deeper understanding of humanity.
THE RESULTS
53%
MUCH MORE RIGOROUS
34% SOMEWHAT MORE RIGOROUS
55% EXTREMELY MOTIVATED
34% VERY MOTIVATED
78% MUCH MORE ACCOUNTABLE
15%
SOMEWHAT MORE ACCOUNTABLE
16
FAQ s
Why doesn’t Alverno give grades? Rather than use simple letter grades, we believe in pushing students to reach their highest personal potential. Even A-level work can be better. A standard letter grade tells you where you stand today; an Alverno assessment considers today plus guides you to the next step toward achieving a greater understanding and application of knowledge. (see page 4 for more information)
What if I need a transcript? The official Alverno College transcript consists of a chronological record of all courses successfully completed and for undergraduates, a history of demonstrated abilities. After graduation, an overall assessment of your academic career is included.
How will I know how well I’m doing if I can’t compare myself to other students? Our groundbreaking curriculum, utilizing the 8 Abilities and self assessment, reduces comparison among students. Everyone starts in different places, and everyone has a different end goal. Learning at Alverno isn’t a “one size fits all” approach; rather, it’s designed to help students achieve their personal best.
What is self assessment? Alverno’s assessment process mirrors performance reviews and feedback in the real world. This means graduates know their strengths and weaknesses, constantly assess their own work and are eager for constructive evaluation — the key to continual improvement.
What is outcomes-based learning? Outcomes-based learning focuses on skill development by clearly communicating what a student should be able to do by the time they complete a course. That skill development is organized around a set of goals rather than memorizing facts for the purpose of getting good grades on an exam.
17 FPO Inside Back Cover
Right page
Milwaukee, WI 53234-3922
EXPERIENCE THE
ALVERNO DIFFERENCE
Here students acquire skills that will serve them today and help them navigate the future with confidence. Learn more at alverno.edu
3400 S. 43rd Street
