Spirituality and Religion in Higher Education

Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Division Spirituality and Religion in Higher Education

The Spirituality and Religion in Higher Education Knowledge Community builds community, enhances knowledge of, and advocates for diverse religious, secular, and spiritual worldviews.

Our current themes are:

  • Community - To create spaces for connection for professionals to engage around worldview difference

  • Education - To enhance knowledge and awareness around religious, secular, and spiritual worldviews by informing the membership about relevant research and practices

  • Advocacy - To highlight practices and strategies that enhance equity for all worldviews

Click the "Join Community" button below to become a KC member in Volunteer Central!

Message from the Leadership Team

Welcome to the Spirituality and Religion in Higher Education KC! We work to support and network student affairs and religious life professionals, students, faculty, chaplains, and others who are interested in conversations, research, and best practices for worldview diversity in higher education. We look forward to your engagement. Please let us know how we can best support you in this work.

About

MISSION

The Spirituality and Religion in Higher Education Knowledge Community builds community, extends knowledge of, and advocates for justice on behalf of diverse religious, secular, and spiritual worldviews.

VISION

Our vision is to enhance equitable practices for worldviews in higher education and to facilitate members' support for student's religious, secular, and spiritual development.

VALUES

[ Our KC values are in development. ]

The Spirituality and Religion in Higher Education Knowledge Community adheres to NASPA’s Guiding Principles of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and inquiry.

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Get Involved

NASPA members are encouraged to join the KC through Volunteer Central and to attend regular open meetings promoted through emails to the KC membership.

Current leadership team vacancies:
Chair-Elect
Region I Representative
Region III Representative
Region IV-E Representative
Chapliancy Liaison*
Social Media Coordinator*

*may be combined with a regional representative role

Apply via Volunteer Central. Express interest and learn more about leadership vacancies by contacting the current Chair.

Events

Hosted Events

Open Meetings

Most KC meetings are open meetings. These currently take place at 3:00pm EST on Third Thursdays during the academic year. Join the KC on Volunteer Central to be added to our list to receive meeting notices and links.

Site Visits / Receptions / Constituent Sponsored Sessions

During the NASPA Annual Conference, the KC normally sponsors either a local site visit or reception. NASPA members are encouraged to submit conference session proposals annually in August and designate them for consideration as KC-sponsored sessions. 

Leadership Retreat

Our Leadership Team connects and plans for the coming academic year during the summer.

Related Events

These events are hosted by the NASPA Central Office or other NASPA Constituent Groups.

NASPA Annual Conference Knowledge Communities Fair

Co-hosted workshops and webinars with other KCs and organizations.

Neighbor Events

These events are hosted by partner and neighbor organizations in alignment with our KC's mission.

 

Leadership Team

Knowledge Community leaders are NASPA volunteers who generously devote their time to the KC for a service period of two years. Chairs are elected by Knowledge Community members while Regional Representatives and other roles are by appointment. View vacancies in the "Get Involved!" section and contact the current Chair to express interest.

 

Resources

[This page is under revision Fall 2023.]

 

WEBSITES

  • INSPIRES Index
    The Interfaith Spiritual, Religious, and Secular Index is a campus climate benchmarking tool for campuses and a college planning tool for students and families.
  • Character Clearinghouse
    An online center for research, curricula, and student affairs resources relating to moral development of college students. 
  • Journal of College & Character
    "a professional journal that examines how colleges and universities influence the moral and civic learning and behavior of students." 
  • Education as Transformation
    An international organization that works with colleges, universities, K-12 schools and related institutions exploring the impact of religious diversity on education and strategies for addressing this diversity, and the role of spirituality in educational institutions, and particularly its relationship to teaching and learning pedagogy; the cultivation of values; moral and ethical development; and the fostering of global learning communities and responsible global citizens. 
  • Interfaith Research
    Publicly available research archive from joint projects of OSU and NC State Universities under PIs Drs. Matthew Mayhew and Alyssa Rockenbach.
  • Interfaith America
    Interfaith America inspires, equips, and connects leaders and institutions to unlock the potential of America’s religious diversity.
  • Aspen Institute Religion & Society Program
    The Religion & Society Program ignites change through convening, catalyzing, and researching the challenges and opportunities at the convergence of religion, culture, and justice.
  • Spirituality in Higher Education
    A National Study of College Students' Search for Meaning and Purpose 
  • Religion & Education Collaborative
    An interdisciplinary network of educators, students, and scholars who examine issues involving religion and education in the United States, Canada, and around the globe.
  • Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion
    The Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion seeks to enhance and strengthen education in theology and religion in theological schools, colleges, and universities in the United States and Canada.
  • Harvard Religion and Public Life
    Religion and Public Life promotes the public understanding of religion in service of a just world at peace.
  • Association of Religion Data Archives
    Quality Data on Religion, providing free access since 1998 

PRACTICES

Coming soon!


SELECTED READINGS

Coming soon!

Awards

The Spirituality & Religion in Higher Education KC presents annual awards to recognize exemplary work at or near the time of the NASPA Annual Conference. Nominations open in late August and close early October. Contact the Awards Coordinator for more information.