Papers
Document Type
Paper
Publication Date
Fall 2026
Abstract
College is often a pivotal period in young adults’ lives. Adulthood may seem like a distant concept. However, grief and trauma appear to affect young adults significantly, often without a safe space to digest or comprehend. Thus, current student support may limit and disrupt a student’s ability to understand their emotional regulation, virtues, and identity. This analysis aims to understand how student support services provide resources and spaces for students experiencing grief and/or trauma and identify how grief intersects with student success. Using student development theory with an empathetic, trauma-informed lens, faculty and staff will be able to support students holistically and shape compassionate students, while improving student success, flourishing, and retention.
Recommended Citation
Albea, TyNia J. (August 10, 2026) Grieving while Becoming: Examining where grief, whole person formation, and student support meet. White paper produced for The Belmont Formation Scholar Cohort for Character Research and Writing.
Metadata/Fulltext
Fulltext
Included in
Educational Leadership Commons, Higher Education Commons, Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons
Comments
The author gratefully acknowledges support from the Belmont Formation Collaborative and the Formation Scholars Cohort for Character Research and Writing with funding from the Kern Family Foundation and peer reviewer support from cohort colleagues David Lilley and Madison Smith.