I think the importance of empathy emerges on the playground. Whenever we cut in line or teased the outlier, we were chastised and told to treat others the way we would like to be treated. Therefore, pushing, shoving and bullying were discouraged.

However, somewhere between elementary school and college, this message seems to have gone astray. It has been misplaced among the Advanced Placement tests, college applications and mid-marking period reports over which we agonized. According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research last year, since 2000, college students today are 40 percent less empathetic than their college-age counterparts from 30 years ago.

Following the release of the study, psychologists and researchers scampered to understand what could have led to this generation's substantial decrease in empathy. Generation X, more popularly known as "Generation Me" or the "Look at Me Generation," has become characterized for its selfishness and narcissism.

A 2007 survey by the Pew Research Center for the People indicates that today's young people are most concerned about fame and fortune. Born into a culture where most expect to go to college and then later make large sums of money, the self-centeredness creates focused, confident individuals but also breeds apathy. The need to succeed in an increasingly competitive society has slowly superseded the human necessity to empathize with one another.

Ironically, although our generation is overcrowded with unfeeling overachievers, empathy is a key element for attaining success. Whether it's success in one's career or in a relationship, being able to understand people and respond to their emotions creates the trust necessary to build lasting rapports. While empathy is often portrayed as a trait that is unbecoming of a strong leader, employees are unlikely to support an executive that is incapable of appreciating someone else's perspective.

In 2009, President Barack Obama drew criticism from Republicans when he noted empathy or, in his words, "understanding and identifying with people's hopes and struggles," was a key element in choosing the next Supreme Court Justice. Though Republicans misinterpreted the remark to mean that Obama was encouraging judicial activism in the court, logically recognizing the plight of a single mother or the obstacles facing the poor will facilitate better-informed judgments. By taking the time and considering someone else's thoughts and feelings, individuals can use that information to strategically make better decisions. Being able to relate to others and appreciate their situation is an invaluable skill in any business.

How can students become more empathetic? If something changed between our elementary school years and college, is higher education the place to reevaluate this issue? The knee-jerk reaction of most would be a resounding "no" because, admittedly, the idea of "teaching" empathy in college sounds misplaced and even inappropriate. More importantly, can something that requires real-life interactions be taught in a classroom?

I think empathy is an innate characteristic, and while it can't be learned through a textbook, it can be nurtured if given the opportunity. Professors need not dedicate a class to it, but they can certainly encourage students to respect others' opinions and broaden their concerns beyond themselves regardless of the subject matter of the class.

Earlier this year, Capital University in Columbus, Ohio took the discussion outside of the classroom with its Empathy Experiment. 160 students applied, but only six were chosen for the 8-week experiment that required the students to experience real-life situations of the working poor like eviction, homelessness and hunger. From spending a night in a homeless shelter to being temporarily evicted from their dorms for a night, the students chronicled their experiences in journal entries and video logs. The purpose of the experiment was for students to immerse themselves in difficult social situations and see worlds to which they wouldn't normally be exposed. Putting themselves in someone else's shoes and experiencing those hardships was a way to curb the selfishness that is hampering this generation. At the end of the experiment, the six students felt that they not only better understood the difficulties facing the poor but also that they were moved to help them. To these six students, it wasn't just enough to have empathy; you needed to get involved and do something with it.

Even the students who don't suffer from selfishness and lack of concern can benefit from a program like the one employed at Capital University. While the classroom can help students learn to interact, the most effective method of fostering empathy is to go out and learn— not from books but from others. Universities can follow the example of Capital University and create similar environments for students to further their education in a practical manner.

The experience of attending college goes beyond writing papers and sitting through class. A comparable empathy program can simulate these life lessons during a time individuals are opening themselves up to diverse and unique situations. This feasible experiment demonstrates the active role a school and its student body can take to expand circles of awareness.