In a recent volume of the "Journal of College and Character," Matt Mayhew and Alyssa Rockenbach presented their frameworks by which they have designed and utilized their IDEALS study over the past several years. In this present article, the authors contend that despite their rigorous research, the researchers and measurements oftentimes…

This article explores the experiences of undergraduate students participating in a retreat providing guidance toward self-authorship. In post-retreat interviews, participants discussed their experiences of discomfort during the retreat and its importance to their personal growth. Sources of discomfort included inhabiting unfamiliar environments…

This article problematizes the practice of relying on participant self-identification in research on religious, secular, and spiritual identity (RSSI) within the field of higher education, with particular attention to the implications related to participants who chose non-religious labels. While this practice is commonplace in the field, it is…

Little scholarship explores the attention to religious, spiritual, and secular identity in the graduate preparation of student affairs professionals. To address this gap, we undertook a phenomenological examination of the experiences of second-year graduate students in four elite master of education programs with respect to these identities. We…

The present study explored sense of purpose among female college students belonging to minority ethnic and Buddhist backgrounds. The participants' experiences regarding the interpretation, role, and development of their sense of purpose were analyzed using a phenomenological approach. Participants defined "purpose" as their life's…

In an unpublished national research study, "Religious, Secular, and Spiritual Identities in Higher Education," which evaluated how universities addressed issues of religious diversity on campus, interviews with university professionals, students, and community members revealed that the institutions that were successfully engaging in…

Duke University has a decidedly Christian history, and Duke University Chapel presents a decidedly Christian presence on campus. Yet, the chapel and its university partners are committed to creating an environment on campus where students of any faith may thrive. Staff members understand that it is important for individuals involved in religious…