Track & Measure Students’ Cultural Agility Over Time
Universities worldwide are investing in courses, experiences, and co-curricular activities to cultivate cultural agility—the ability to adapt and succeed in diverse environments. But how can educators know if these efforts are truly effective? Are students genuinely building the skills they need for our interconnected world? Many universities are finding answers with myGiide, a digital platform offered by Skiilify, designed to develop and track cultural agility.
Why Measuring Cultural Agility Matters
Cultural agility isn’t innate; it’s a collection of competencies that can be developed with intentional practice. These include resilience, curiosity, humility, perspective-taking, relationship-building, and tolerance of ambiguity. These skills are vital for thriving in today’s global economy.
However, without tools to measure growth, students may struggle to recognize their progress or identify areas for improvement. Personalized, clear data not only highlights where students have grown but also pinpoints areas for further development. This clarity empowers learners to take charge of their own growth while allowing educators to refine their programs for maximum impact.
How myGiide Works
myGiide begins with a baseline assessment, evaluating students on the six core competencies of cultural agility. The results are presented visually, typically as an intuitive graph, highlighting strengths and areas needing improvement. Beyond measurement, myGiide provides actionable suggestions for learners to further develop their skills.
At key moments—such as after completing a course or internship—students retake the assessment. This allows both students and universities to track changes over time. The insights are often eye-opening:
Students participating in service-learning programs in underserved communities might see significant growth in humility and resilience.
Those involved in research labs or global consulting projects often report increased curiosity or perspective-taking.
By comparing assessments, students gain a clear picture of how their experiences have shaped their growth.
What Learners Gain
For students, myGiide offers more than a snapshot of their current skills; it provides a personalized roadmap for development. Seeing measurable results motivates students to continue refining their abilities, encouraging them to stretch beyond their comfort zones.
This insight also prepares students for future global challenges. They can identify which competencies they’ve mastered and where they should focus next, setting them up for long-term success in cross-cultural environments.
What Educators and Universities Learn
For educators and program designers, myGiide offers a treasure trove of data. It reveals which experiences foster specific competencies, enabling better alignment between programs and learning objectives.
For example:
Service-learning initiatives may be particularly effective at building humility.
Collaborative research projects might be better suited for fostering curiosity.
This data-driven alignment ensures that programs are impactful, meeting both student needs and institutional goals.
A Tool for Lifelong Growth
Cultural agility is not a box to check but a lifelong journey. By equipping learners with tools to measure and track their development, myGiide supports sustained growth. It empowers students to build the skills they need to succeed in a multicultural world and gives universities actionable insights to refine and enhance their educational offerings.
With myGiide, tracking and developing cultural agility is no longer a challenge—it’s a transformative opportunity.