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In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities Luke Jones PhD Candidate Matthew Rygg Assistant Director of Residence Life 2004 ACPA National Conference

In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

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In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities. Luke Jones PhD Candidate Matthew Rygg Assistant Director of Residence Life. 2004 ACPA National Conference. Reflection. Share with one or two people next to you How do you define spirituality? - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Luke JonesPhD Candidate

Matthew RyggAssistant Director of Residence Life

2004 ACPA National Conference

Page 2: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Reflection

• Share with one or two people next to you

How do you define spirituality? Your reactions to the questions? What was most thought provoking?

Page 3: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Overview

• Discuss learning outcomes

• Define spirituality

• Explore the need for spirituality in higher ed

• Present findings of qualitative study

• Consider ways to foster spiritually supportive environments

Page 4: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Video Discussion

• What are your initial reactions?

• What response surprised you? Stood out to you?

• How do you think students on your campus would respond to these questions?

Page 5: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Learning Outcomes

• Understand spiritual needs of undergraduate students

• Explore importance of spirituality in identity development

• Discover how some students perceive spiritual climate on a public campus

• Learn what students perceive as spiritually supportive

Page 6: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Spirituality Defined

Universal instinct toward connection with others and discovery of our place in the larger web of life. Process of turning inward to find where we are at home with ourselves in an undivided life (Dalton, 2001).

Page 7: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Demonstrated Need

Research recently released on the millennial generation (Howe & Strauss, 2000) states that spirituality is of great importance to students

currently enrolling in colleges and universities across the country.

Values of Millennial Generation:Optimistic, Civic Duty, Achievement, Sociability,

Morality (spirituality), Diversity

Page 8: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Demonstrated Need (cont.)

• In 1990 there were no prayer circles or clubs in US public high schools, now there are ten thousand of them (Braun, 1998).

• Four out of five teens say they have prayed at least once in the past week (Howe & Strauss, 2000).

• Teens cited religion as the second strongest influence in their life (Howe & Strauss, 2000).

• Gallop pole showed 55 percent of teens go to church (Howe & Strauss, 2000).

Page 9: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Student Development

• Development of the spirit and changes in religious beliefs are a common thread throughout identity development research and much of this development occurs during a student’s time at college (Pascarella & Terenzini, 1991).

Page 10: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Erikson’s Psychosocial Development (1959)Stage 5: Identity vs. Identity Role Confusion (Adolescence)

• Changing body• Increased critical thinking• Societal expectations• Educational/vocational choices

• Who am I? Who will I be?• Development fostered by: experimentation, choice,

achievement, freedom, reflection and introspection

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (early adulthood)

Page 11: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Student Development (cont.)

• College students have few structured opportunities in higher education to examine the spiritual implications of such big decisions.

• Rather than helping students link head and heart, intellectual and ethical development, we often force an isolation of these two important domains of students’ learning and development in higher education.

(Dalton, 2001).

Page 12: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Historical Perspective of college

“The concept of education is broadened to include attention to the student’s well-rounded development physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually, as well as intellectually” (Student Personnel Point of View 1939, 1949).

Challenge for administrators is to work with a new generation of students that arrive on campus spiritually hungry (Mahoney, 2001).

Page 13: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Study Design

• Questions of the study

• Conducted one-on-one interviews

• Conducted focus group

• Sent out e-mail Questionnaire

Page 14: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

• Importance of community

• Students viewed school as a “challenge” to faith

• Support to faith came from outside of school

• Lack of places to dialog

• Lack of mentoring

• Campus climate

• Help students know their Twinkies and Cupcakes

Findings

Page 15: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Fostering Spiritually Supportive Environments

With the exception of campus ministry groups, what are some opportunities/programs you have seen that help students dialogue about their:

- passions

- purpose

- Identity

- meaning

- higher power, God, etc.?

How do we create a culture where students feel welcome and safe exchanging ideas and experiences about their spiritual journey?

Page 16: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Works CitedBraun, S. (1998, May 14, 1998). Prayer Clubs Grow In America's Schools. Los Angeles

Times, p. A.6.

Dalton, J. C. (2001). Career and Calling: Finding a Place for the Spirit in Work and Community. New Directions for Student Services(95), 17-25.

Erikson, E. H. (1964). Childhood and society. New York, Norton Edition 2d ed., rev. and enl.

Gallup, G. (1999). The spiritual life of young Americans : approaching the year 2000. Princeton, N.J.: The George H. Gallup International Institute.

Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (2000). Millennials rising : the next great generation by Neil Howe and Bill Strauss ; cartoons by R.J. Matson. New York: Vintage Books.

Mahoney, K. A., Schmalzbauer, J., & Youniss, J. (2001). Religion: A comeback on campus. Liberal Education, 87(4), 36-41.

Palmer, P. J. (1998). The courage to teach : exploring the inner landscape of a teacher's life (1st ed.). San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass.

Palmer, P. J. (1983). To know as we are known : a spirituality of education (1st ed.). San Francisco: Harper & Row.

Parks, S. D. (2000). Big questions, worthy dreams : mentoring young adults in their search for meaning, purpose, and faith. San Francisco, Calif. Jossey-Bass, Edition 1st ed.

Pascarella, E. T., & Terenzini, P. T. (1991). How College Affects Students: Findings and Insights from Twenty Years of Research. U.S.; California.

Page 17: In Pursuit of Meaning: Undergraduates’ Spiritual Development at Public Universities

Contact Information

Luke JonesOffice of AdmissionsWashington State [email protected]

Matthew RyggDepartment of Residence LifeWashington State [email protected]