---
title: Presence | Blog | 158 Impressive Skills You Can Add to Your Student Learning Outcomes
description: Explore 158 skills to add to student learning outcomes and strengthen assessment, programming, and student development efforts.
image: https://sapro.moderncampus.com/hubfs/Destiny/Imported_Blog_Media/Imagination-4.png
---

## 158 Impressive Skills You Can Add to Your Student Learning Outcomes

Jodi Tandet | October 22, 2019

![](https://sapro.moderncampus.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Destiny/Imported_Blog_Media/Imagination-4.png?width=800&name=Imagination-4.png)

<http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://sapro.moderncampus.com/blog/158-impressive-skills-you-can-add-to-your-student-learning-outcomes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook> <http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://sapro.moderncampus.com/blog/158-impressive-skills-you-can-add-to-your-student-learning-outcomes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin> <https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://sapro.moderncampus.com/blog/158-impressive-skills-you-can-add-to-your-student-learning-outcomes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://sapro.moderncampus.com/blog/158-impressive-skills-you-can-add-to-your-student-learning-outcomes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=> [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://sapro.moderncampus.com/blog/158-impressive-skills-you-can-add-to-your-student-learning-outcomes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://sapro.moderncampus.com/blog/158-impressive-skills-you-can-add-to-your-student-learning-outcomes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://sapro.moderncampus.com/blog/158-impressive-skills-you-can-add-to-your-student-learning-outcomes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://sapro.moderncampus.com/blog/158-impressive-skills-you-can-add-to-your-student-learning-outcomes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email)

Many of us talk about wanting to develop our students.

We want them to learn and grow tremendously throughout college, so that their lives change not just be owning a fancy diploma but through having meaningful experiences. 

Yet, we may forget to consider what the “development” buzzword really means. Having a goal to “help students learn” or “develop students as people” won’t get you (nor your students) very far. 

**It would be like telling your GPS to direct you “far away” without providing a destination.** Your poor GPS wouldn’t know where to even start nor be able to alert you when you’ve made it anywhere worthwhile.

That’s where skills come in. “Student growth” isn’t specific enough of an ultimate goal. **You need to *****define***** that growth through skills.**

[Skills-based learning](https://www.myacpa.org/student-learning-imperative-implications-student-affairs) will give students something *concrete* to brag about, appreciate about themselves, and perhaps most importantly, sell themselves to employers on. 

You could probably name some broad skill categories at the top of your head, such as: Organizational, communication, teamwork, and of course, the ever-so-popular leadership skills. 

But, to be truly impactful, these categories need to be narrowed down further. **What, *****exactly*****, should a student be good at in order to be an exceptional communicator, team player, or leader?** What tasks should they be able to handle or personality traits should they display?

A student who says “I’m a good leader”, for example, won’t be nearly as impressive to an employer as one who is able to articulate their “ability to motivate teammates through [long-term goal-setting](http://presence.io/blog/how-the-okr-methodology-can-boost-your-daily-and-long-term-productivity-in-student-affairs/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925).” And a student proclaiming “I’m a great program planner” won’t sell themselves as well as someone who can share specific stories [about delegation](https://www.brandeis.edu/student-engagement/student-organizations/leadership/delegation.html).

So, I’d like to provide you with some ideas — 158 skills to be precise.

I’m not advising you to reinvent the wheel (or your campus activities calendar) to help students attain these skills. You don’t need to create 158 revolutionary programs. Rather, **you can work with what you already have. It’s surely quite a lot!**

Consider, for example, your annual student organization fair. Ta-dah! You cover many skills there! The fair requires the leaders of each org to brainstorm ideas, assess others’ needs, look for interpersonal connections, and create savvy [advertising/marketing plans](http://presence.io/blog/26-marketing-ideas-for-campus-programs-that-break-the-usual-mold/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925). 

**Point these skills out to students.** Congratulate them on their progress and implore them to keep learning.

Plus, [through a student engagement platform](http://presence.io/product/encourage-measure-experiential-learning/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925), you can [design a framework](http://presence.io/product/encourage-measure-experiential-learning/measure-experiential-learning/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925) to set students off on various learning pathways, through which they’ll further hone their skills. You can give these pathways fun names, and to further incentive learning, [gamify skill-attainment](http://presence.io/product/encourage-measure-experiential-learning/gamify-involvement/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925) and reward students for their progress! 

For example, you could host a career fair that opens one hour early for students who’ve attended at least 12 leadership-focused events in the past year. Or, you could hold a VIP meet-and-greet with a guest speaker  — but only for students who’ve earned at least 300 “social responsibility points.”

Sound fun? I hope so. But **first, you need to recognize specific skills. **Because if you — a trusty student affairs professional — doesn’t understand *how* your students are developing, students likely won’t either. 

Here are some skills you may not have considered helping students gain, articulate, and quantify. (You can even tie these into [NACE’s key career-readiness competencies](https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/career-readiness-defined/)!) 

## Leadership Development

1. Charisma  
2. Humility  
3. Self-esteem  
4. Diplomacy  
5. [Setting boundaries](http://presence.io/blog/8-easy-ways-you-can-teach-students-the-power-of-boundaries-and-self-advocacy/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
6. Personal branding  
7. Motivating others  
8. [Group facilitation](http://presence.io/blog/5-easy-tips-to-make-you-an-all-star-facilitator/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
9. Optimism  
10. Delegation  
11. Trusting teammates  
12. Negotiation  
13. Setting missions  
14. Initiative  
15. Assessing others’ needs  
16. Mentoring  
17. [Brain-storming](http://presence.io/blog/12-ways-to-help-students-brainstorm-and-share-their-bold-ideas/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
18. Appreciating others  
19. Imagination  
20. Acknowledging mistakes  
21. Courage  
22. Living by example  
23. Ability to teach  
24. Sharing a vision  
25. Conducting meetings  
26. Assertiveness

## Assessment and Evaluation

27. Data analysis  
28. Observation  
29. Developing new processes  
30. Interpretation  
31. Measurement  
32. Foresight  
33. Identifying patterns  
34. [Recognition of data bias](http://presence.io/blog/how-to-spot-6-common-biases-before-they-mess-with-your-engagement-data/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
35. Understanding of opportunity cost  
36. Intuition  
37. Appropriately challenging processes

## Interpersonal Relationships

38. Trust  
39. Developing rapport  
40. [Authenticity](http://presence.io/blog/6-ways-to-build-authentic-student-affairs-relationships-that-will-last/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
41. Confidentiality  
42. Accepting feedback  
43. Giving feedback  
44. Voicing opinions  
45. [Conflict management ](http://presence.io/blog/10-techniques-to-help-you-and-your-students-face-conflict-head-on/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
46. Dependability  
47. [Humor](http://presence.io/blog/how-you-can-champion-humor-as-an-essential-skill-in-students/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
48. Respecting others  
49. Networking  
50. Giving praise, affirmation, and rewards   
51. Appreciating differences  
52. Understanding what others need  
53. Desire to connect  
54. Seeing others’ potential  
55. [Managing up](http://presence.io/blog/15-managing-up-techniques-you-can-use-every-day-in-student-affairs/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)

## Task Managment

56. Conceptualization  
57. Acceptance of facts  
58. Patience  
59. Turning obstacles into opportunities  
60. Decision-making  
61. Trouble-shooting  
62. Commitment  
63. [Financial responsibility](http://presence.io/blog/5-ways-student-organizations-can-stay-on-budget-while-meeting-their-goals/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
64. Defining expectations  
65. Prioritizing tasks  
66. [Time management](http://presence.io/blog/15-time-management-hacks-for-student-affairs-professionals/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
67. Thinking ahead  
68. Organization  
69. Risk management  
70. Innovation  
71. Flexibility  
72. Accountability  
73. Self-guiding  
74. [Program design](http://presence.io/resources/student-leader-programming-handbook?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
75. Understanding mission and purpose  
76. Problem-solving  
77. Collaboration  
78. Improvising  
79. Resourcefulness  
80. Proactivity  
81. Productivity

## Intellectual Growth

82. Awareness of knowledge gaps  
83. Curiosity  
84. Research techniques  
85. Open-mindedness  
86. Understanding technology  
87. Asking for help  
88. Logic  
89. Fact-checking  
90. Healthy skepticism  
91. Questioning  
92. Experimenting  
93. Looking for connections  
94. Concept application  
95. Appreciation of theory  
96. Articulation of knowledge

## Social Responsibility

97. Empathy  
98. Compassion  
99. Generosity  
100. Civic virtue  
101. Cultural awareness  
102. World perspective  
103. [Advocacy](http://presence.io/blog/5-ways-you-can-raise-up-the-work-of-student-activists/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
104. Promoting inclusion  
105. [Understanding privilege](http://presence.io/blog/7-easy-activities-that-encourage-students-to-open-up-about-identity-and-privilege/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
106. Conviction  
107. A sense of worldwide connection  
108. [Community engagement](http://presence.io/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-civic-engagement-on-campus/?__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
109. Diverse relationship-building  
110. Risk-taking  
111. Caregiving

## Intrapersonal Growth

112. Concentration  
113. Intentional learning  
114. Self-acceptance  
115. Self-expression  
116. Understanding of strengths and opportunities for growth  
117. Self-motivation  
118. Ablility to ignore peer pressure  
119. Hobby-seeking  
120. [Mindfulness](http://presence.io/blog/5-ways-to-support-student-success-through-mindfulness-practices/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
121. Comfort with alone time  
122. Acceptance of past occurrences  
123. Stress management  
124. Gratitude  
125. [Self-reflection](http://presence.io/blog/21-great-reflection-questions-that-add-depth-to-student-learning/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
126. Calmness  
127. Emotional connection and management   
128. Self-affirmations  
129. [Mentorship seeking](http://presence.io/blog/how-mentorship-can-help-first-generation-students-thrive/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
130. Self-advocacy  
131. Managing energy  
132. Self-discipline  
133. Persistence

## Communication

134. Writing  
135. Reading non-verbal cues  
136. Active listening  
137. Clarity  
138. [Language choice](http://presence.io/blog/these-15-rules-will-help-you-start-building-an-inclusive-language-guide/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
139. Promptness in responding  
140. Public speaking  
141. Reducing ambiguity  
142. Explaining dificult concepts  
143. Persuasion  
144. [Presenting](http://presence.io/blog/7-tips-to-polish-your-presentation-skills/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
145. Storytelling  
146. Organizing ideas  
147. Editing  
148. Emailing  
149. Telephone etiquette  
150. Follow-through  
151. Visualization  
152. [Graphic design](http://presence.io/blog/the-definitive-graphic-design-guide-for-student-affairs-professionals/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)  
153. Honesty  
154. Transparency  
155. Tactfulness  
156. Apologizing  
157. Conciseness  
158. [Marketing](http://presence.io/blog/26-marketing-ideas-for-campus-programs-that-break-the-usual-mold/?utm_source=156-skills&utm_medium=in-text&__hstc=190569908.f6de57cb5569943b982ff701d4e1590a.1649150177072.1649150177072.1649150177072.1&__hssc=190569908.18.1649150177072&__hsfp=1561754925)

**As your students work on attaining new skills, they’ll grow in noticeably rewarding ways.** They’ll become better leaders, more responsible citizens, and more attractive job candidates.

Surely students want to become all these things, but they need tour guides to help them. That’s where you come in! I hope these skills will give you inspiration for the best destinations and pit stops to direct students toward.

![Jodi Tandet](https://sapro.moderncampus.com/hs-fs/hubfs/357.jpeg?width=150&height=150&name=357.jpeg)

**About the author:** Jodi Tandet (she/her) is Modern Campus's Content Marketing Strategist. She's a proud graduate of Emory University, where she majored in Creative Writing, and of Nova Southeastern University, where she earned her master's degree in College Student Affairs. She previously worked for Hillel: the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, where she engaged students in co-curricular programming at Cornell University and The University of Pittsburgh. Learn how we can help [get your students involved](https://moderncampus.com/products/student-engagement-and-learning-platform.html?utm_medium=author-bio&utm_source=sapro-blog&utm_content=blog/158-impressive-skills-you-can-add-to-your-student-learning-outcomes).

Related Articles

[![](https://sapro.moderncampus.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Destiny/Imported_Blog_Media/9-2Blog-Header-4.png?width=800&name=9-2Blog-Header-4.png) How to Start Building Co-Curricular Learning Pathways on Your Campus ](https://sapro.moderncampus.com/blog/how-to-start-building-co-curricular-learning-pathways-on-your-campus)

[![](https://sapro.moderncampus.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Destiny/Imported_Blog_Media/5-18Blog-Header_1-1-4.png?width=800&name=5-18Blog-Header_1-1-4.png) How to Adapt or Build Your Co-Curricular Learning Outcome Framework ](https://sapro.moderncampus.com/blog/how-to-adapt-or-build-your-co-curricular-learning-outcome-framework)

[![](https://sapro.moderncampus.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Destiny/Imported_Blog_Media/dr_-jill-biden-5-4.png?width=800&name=dr_-jill-biden-5-4.png) What We Can All Learn from Dr. Jill Biden’s Research on Retaining Community College Students ](https://sapro.moderncampus.com/blog/what-we-can-all-learn-from-dr-jill-bidens-research-on-retaining-community-college-students)

[![](https://sapro.moderncampus.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Destiny/Imported_Blog_Media/5-13Blog-Apr-05-2022-03-11-20-20-PM.png?width=800&name=5-13Blog-Apr-05-2022-03-11-20-20-PM.png) Everything an #SAPro Should Know Before Designing a Service-Learning Project ](https://sapro.moderncampus.com/blog/everything-an-sapro-should-know-before-designing-a-service-learning-project)