FEATURES OF THE ACTIVITIES OF STUDENT SERVICES IN U.S. UNIVERSITIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.28925/1609-8595.2025.1.1Keywords:
academic and social development, academic support, academic success centers, career centers, financial aid, student services, student affairs, U.S. higher education.Abstract
The article is devoted to the analysis of the types and specific features of student services in U.S. universities. It is shown that the development of higher education in the United States took place under conditions of constant growth in the student population and increasing demands for accessibility and quality of education. In response to these challenges, the field of student services (Student Services or Student Affairs) emerged – a complex of auxiliary programs, services, and activities aimed at supporting the academic, social, and personal development of students. These services include academic advising, financial aid, psychological support, career services, leadership development, support for international students, and the organization of sports activities. It has been found that, in their entirety, student services form a comprehensive institutional ecosystem that supports students academically, socially, and professionally. The historical foundations of the field of student affairs have been explored. It has been established that the basic principles of these services, outlined in the fundamental documents «The Student Personnel Point of View» (1937, 1949), provide for a holistic approach to the formation of students’ personalities. The functional diversity of student services in the U.S. and their impact on academic success, social integration, and professional preparation of students have been analyzed. Attention is drawn to the necessity of studying the mechanisms for integrating individual elements of the American model of student support (such as academic success centers, career centers, and financial aid) into the Ukrainian educational practice, considering national realities and student needs.
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