Raising Awareness Through Education: The Role of Counselors in Student Affairs in Sichuan Province and the Sustainable Development Goals

Objectives: The study aims to review the role of university counselors in student affairs within Sichuan Province and assess their contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a specific focus on SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), Thermotical Model: This study is based on D. C. McClelland’s competency theory, which highlights the importance of assessing skills, knowledge, and behavioral competencies over traditional intelligence tests. Using models like the Iceberg Model, the framework focuses on both visible (skills, knowledge) and hidden traits (motivation, values) to evaluate university counselors' competencies in Sichuan Province, aligning them with the SDGs. Methodology: The research involved data collection from 532 university counselors across eight universities in Sichuan Province. The counselors' competencies, including work knowledge, job skills, and attitudes, were assessed and validated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate their alignment with the SDGs. Results and Findings: The analysis revealed that university counselors possess high competency levels in areas such as knowledge, skills, and attitudes, which play a crucial role in creating positive learning environments, promoting mental health, encouraging innovation, reducing inequalities, and fostering social responsibility. These competencies are essential in supporting sustainable development efforts aligned with the SDGs. Novelty Statement: This research offers a unique contribution by linking university counselors’ roles with the broader framework of the United Nations SDGs, particularly in the context of higher education in Sichuan Province. It highlights the pivotal influence of counselors in promoting sustainability, mental well-being, and social equity, areas often overlooked in traditional assessments of their functions.