Fr. Jim Greenfield, OSFS, Writes of the Value of “Soft Skills”
In the Summer 2026 edition of Network Magazine, Fr. Jim Greenfield, OSFS, President of DeSales University, explores why skills such as critical thinking, communication, empathy, integrity, and problem-solving are increasingly important to employers, and the role higher education plays in developing them.
“NACE’s study reported a significant change in employers’ hiring habits. The once-strong trend of recruiting college graduates with industry-specific majors might be coming to an end. Only 25% of employers now claim they hire majors that exclusively match the work of their company, illustrating a strong interest in skills that extend beyond the immediate focus of the hiring firm.”
At DeSales, the six schools have core curricula that are designed to equip students with the all-important skills, ill-named as soft. These classes that help students better understand their humanity, their responsibility for it, and the threats to its flourishing. The University recently implemented Connections Curriculum, a new general education course of study for all undergraduates, which requires several reading- and writing-intensive classes, as well as philosophy, theology, and literature courses, to help students deepen their written communication and critical thinking skills.
Beyond the classroom, studies show that students who partake in extracurricular activities such as student government, community service, intramural athletics, and various campus activities have more positive outcomes in academic performance, cognitive development, well-being, leadership, and multicultural awareness.
Read full story here.
In addition to being the President of DeSales University, Fr. Greenfield is also the chair of the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges—Cedar Crest College, DeSales University, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Moravian University, and Muhlenberg College. Recently, he was named to the 2026 LVB 300, Lehigh Valley Business's annual list recognizing the region's most influential business leaders, in the education category for 2026. (Read more here.)