AU SIGNATURE SKILLS

At American University, our goal is to help our students develop into thoughtful and engaged adults. 

Below, we list “signature skills”—intellectual and character traits—that we want AU students to build, individually and in community, through deliberate practice.

These signature skills are the foundation of life and career readiness, equipping students to thrive in workplaces, public service, and graduate or professional study.

View examples of assignments and class activities mapped to the AU Signature Skills by AU faculty participating in the Summer 2026 AU Signature Skills Faculty Learning Community. (AU login required)

They prepare students to be creative, innovative thinkers who learn from failure, and leaders who work with others to address unscripted problems with a view to the common good, and they are grounded in AU’s historic sense of mission and public service. While rooted in the strengths of academic inquiry, these qualities are not only learned in the classroom: they are part of all aspects of campus life, including clubs and student organizations, internships and work experiences, and other settings. In giving our students opportunities to hone these skills, we also aim to model and to practice them ourselves, affirming our collective commitment to these shared values.

For students, families, faculty, staff, and other readers, the bold headings name each skill and the brief phrase in parentheses others a plain-language guide to its everyday meaning; the definitions that follow remain the primary description of each skill.

(listening deeply and then making up your own mind)

Makes up one’s own mind after a process of active listening and reflecting on one’s own assumptions and perspectives in light of the different views held by others. Exercises curiosity and courage to challenge received wisdom, remains open to new information, and brings humility to problem-solving, acknowledging that we ourselves may be wrong. Cultivates the discipline, resilience, and spirit of possibility necessary to tackle difficult issues.

(finding, questioning, and using evidence wisely)

Gathers and weighs evidence from a variety of sources, including primary and secondary
sources, quantitative and qualitative data, digital media, and AI and other emerging
technologies. Exercises critical judgment by discerning contextual authority, potential bias, and limitations and is adept at interpreting quantitative data as well as data from other sources. Develops deep subject matter expertise informed by the practices of a scholarly or professional community of inquiry in the context of faculty mentorship.

(expressing ideas clearly for different audiences)

Shares ideas clearly, authentically, and persuasively through writing, speech, and nonverbal cues, as well as in visual media, audio, music, and performance. Adapts communication mode and style to fit different audiences, settings, and language
expectations.

(engaging deep differences without attacking others)

Acknowledges and strives to understand the deep disagreements in our local, national, international, and university communities, both in the present and over time, as the necessary first step toward finding common ground.

(being someone others and teams can count on)

Builds dependability and trust by exhibiting integrity in words and actions, follows through on commitments so that others can count on them, and takes responsibility for the impacts of choices on others. Creatively interacts and engages different identities and perspectives with respect and contributes steadily to team processes and goals so that groups can rely on their participation and collaboration.

(participating in public and shared life)

Gains the knowledge and disposition to participate effectively in spaces of collective self-governance, including not only by voting and formal political participation but in workplaces, community-based organizations, and any setting in which people have to make decisions together.

(leading with integrity and care)

Shows empathetic awareness of different ethical perspectives and values and critically weighs those values to seek responsible courses of action. Exercises leadership with integrity with a view to serving the common good. Balances the rights and responsibilities of different community members and shows grace for one’s own mistakes and those of others.

(staying curious and continuing to learn)

Encounters unscripted problems and questions with a creative mindset, finding new ways to identify, analyze, and address them. Cultivates habits of curiosity and adaptability and keeps learning as contexts, technologies, and responsibilities evolve. Learns from setbacks and continues to engage in an open-ended process of thinking across different settings and stages of life.