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

1. 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

2. 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?

3. 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

4. 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?

5. 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

6. 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). Spirituality Defined

7. 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

8. 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).

9. 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).

10. 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)

11. 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).

12. 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).

13. Study Design • Questions of the study • Conducted one-on-one interviews • Conducted focus group • Sent out e-mail Questionnaire

14. Findings • 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

15. 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?

16. Works Cited Braun, 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.

17. Contact Information Luke Jones Office of Admissions Washington State University 509-335-2310 lukej@mail.wsu.edu Matthew Rygg Department of Residence Life Washington State University 509-335-1227 mrygg@wsu.edu