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Student Affairs Approaches to Religion and Spirituality in U.S. Public Higher Education
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation (Electronic Copy Not Available)
Keywords
College students--Religious life; College administrators--Attitudes;
Abstract
The field of student affairs values diversity and inclusion of all student identities. Literature has provided evidence of the importance of religious and spiritual discussions and resources for holistic student development, and the significance of this study lays in understanding the commitment, or lack thereof, to providing religious and spiritual resources at public institutions. The research question this study answered is as follows: What are public university administrators’ perceptions of and knowledge about religious and spiritual resources on their campus?
The qualitative study interviewed 11 administrators at a doctoral university. The interview questions were developed around three major categories: the current status of religion and spirituality at Cabin University, campus and student needs regarding religion and spirituality, and the administration’s personal role and thought.
This study found there could be and should be more religious and spirituality resources available to students. In summary, it was found that interfaith events, increased education, a building or space devoted to religion and spirituality, and investment in personnel to oversee the space would best provide the necessary resources for students to aid them in becoming culturally competent and developing holistically.
This study enables future researchers with the ability to further explore what is being done well or could potentially be introduced to campuses to ensure that students are developing holistically, because, as supported by the study, religion and spirituality must be incorporated into the work of student affairs professionals to foster holistic student development.
Start Date
4-4-2017 1:00 PM
End Date
4-4-2017 4:30 PM
Faculty Advisor
Mike Waggoner
Department
Department of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education
Copyright
©2017 Kayla Stafford
Embargo Date
4-4-2017
Student Affairs Approaches to Religion and Spirituality in U.S. Public Higher Education
The field of student affairs values diversity and inclusion of all student identities. Literature has provided evidence of the importance of religious and spiritual discussions and resources for holistic student development, and the significance of this study lays in understanding the commitment, or lack thereof, to providing religious and spiritual resources at public institutions. The research question this study answered is as follows: What are public university administrators’ perceptions of and knowledge about religious and spiritual resources on their campus?
The qualitative study interviewed 11 administrators at a doctoral university. The interview questions were developed around three major categories: the current status of religion and spirituality at Cabin University, campus and student needs regarding religion and spirituality, and the administration’s personal role and thought.
This study found there could be and should be more religious and spirituality resources available to students. In summary, it was found that interfaith events, increased education, a building or space devoted to religion and spirituality, and investment in personnel to oversee the space would best provide the necessary resources for students to aid them in becoming culturally competent and developing holistically.
This study enables future researchers with the ability to further explore what is being done well or could potentially be introduced to campuses to ensure that students are developing holistically, because, as supported by the study, religion and spirituality must be incorporated into the work of student affairs professionals to foster holistic student development.
Comments
Location: Maucker Union Oak Room