Introduction to the Current Issue

Abstract

For most young people today, the college years have become a pivotal time for clarifying some of life's big questions about meaning and purpose. Self-authorship, self-governance, and moral commitment are important aspects of the search for an enduring sense of purpose and meaning in life. Authors in this issue of the Journal of College and Character explore the critical role that meaning and purpose play in the lives of young adults and some of the ways that higher education can support students in this aspect of their learning and development. The issue includes several articles authored by speakers or panelists at the 2011 Dalton Institute on College Student Values at The Florida State University.