We no longer lack models of college student development. We have models, many of which represent careful data-based effort. What we also have are several new problems: (1) how to keep up with the knowledge explosion; (2) how to make sense of the many models; and (3) after understanding them, how to translate them into useful and helpful tools in our work as student personnel professionals This volume focuses mainly on the second problem: How does one make sense of the many different theories and models which exist? We believe that our framwork will also assist in keeping up with the knowledge explosion and in making the transition from theory to practice. This is the 4th issue of New Directions for Student Services.