Dr. Tracy Poelvoorde, chancellor of Trinity Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø of Nursing and Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø alumna; Dr. Lendol Calder, nationally recognized historian and champion of reflective teaching; and Judge Tionn Fambro Carter, civic leader and first Black female judge in the 14th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, discussed the elements of transformation in education during the Futurist Thinking Series panel discussion.
What endures? 'Learning that sticks' at Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø
When Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø alumni look back on their education, what lasts? Is it the facts and formulas from first-year classes, or the moments that shifted how they think, lead, and live?
That question animated the January session of Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s Futurist Thinking Series, "Learning That Sticks: What Will a Student Remember in 20 Years?", a forum focused on the essential elements of transformation in higher education.
Moderated by Vice President of Advancement Jon Enslin, the panel drew together Dr. Lendol Calder, nationally recognized historian and champion of reflective teaching; Dr. Tracy Poelvoorde, chancellor of Trinity Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø of Nursing and Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø alumna; and Judge Tionn Fambro Carter, civic leader and first Black female judge in the 14th Judicial Circuit of Illinois.
Their message was clear: the most powerful lessons endure not as content to be memorized, but as habits of mind and character to be lived.
Beyond skills: habits that outlast the test
As Dr. Calder reminded the audience, ¡°Facts fade. Skills evolve. But meaning-making, discernment and the habits of mind last.¡±
It¡¯s a theme that resonates in a time when credentials and marketable expertise are valued. Yet as the panelists made clear, what endures are not lists of knowledge, but the ability to ask good questions, reflect and remain curious in the face of the unknown.
Judge Carter echoed this: ¡°Be patient with yourself and others. Share your thoughts. Often we don¡¯t speak up for fear of judgment, but together we can find the answer.¡±
Her career, marked by resilience, humility and a determination to ensure all voices are heard, illustrates how formative moments, not just information, shape lives.
Mentorship and openness: the multipliers
For Dr. Poelvoorde, it was the unexpected turns and the mentors who encouraged openness to new possibilities that mattered most.
¡°Each experience prepares you for how to navigate your career,¡± she reflected. ¡°You¡¯re constantly growing and learning ¡ª and sometimes, it¡¯s the experiences that pull you out of your comfort zone that shape you the most.¡±
It¡¯s this commitment to mentorship, and to nurturing the whole person, that distinguishes Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s approach. Students are developed as thinkers, collaborators and leaders, ready to thrive in roles and fields they may not yet imagine.
What Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø must preserve, amplify and redesign
So, what does ¡°learning that sticks¡± require from an institution like Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø? The panel¡¯s stories point to three essentials:
- Prioritize relationships: Deep learning happens through mentorship, conversation and trust, within and beyond the classroom.
- Value reflection and discernment: The capacity to pause, question and make meaning is the ultimate transferable skill in a rapidly changing world.
- Design for transformation, not just transmission: Curriculum and campus life should foster knowledge, character, adaptability and purpose.
As Dr. Calder put it, ¡°Cognitive scientists tell us we remember what we think about often. I teach to ensure my students know how to ¡®history the problems¡¯ they face, not just recite answers.¡±