Juan P. Dabdoub, Aitor R. Salaverría

Juan P. Dabdoub and Aitor R. Salaverría are faculty members in the Department of Educator Preparation and Leadership at the University of Missouri - St. Louis College of Education. Their research focuses on character development within university residential environments, particularly examining Spain's centuries-old Colegios Mayores (Halls of Residence) system.

These scholars investigate how residential communities foster student development through specific institutional practices. Their work analyzes the implementation of six key practices within Colegios Mayores and evaluates their alignment with Etienne Wenger's Communities of Practice model. This research bridges educational theory with practical applications in residential higher education settings across cultural contexts.

Through their 2023 publication in the Spanish Journal of Pedagogy, they documented findings from a questionnaire administered to 19 Colegios Mayores directors (representing 15.2% of Spain's 125 institutions). Results indicated strong consensus among directors that specific practices characterize their institutions, are actively implemented, and align with community-based learning models.