The role of religion and spirituality in academic advising

1. The role of religion and spirituality in academic advising

2. Brief Background • Results of a 2011 survey carried by Brigham Young University • By and large most participants were affiliated with a public college or university • The majority of participants reported to have earned a master’s degree

3. Fundamental Questions • Is spirituality key for tuning in to the student experience? • How should advisors deal with students who regard spirituality/religion as integral to important decision making (academic and career)

4. Results indicated • The academy should play a role in facilitating spiritual exploration and discussion • Students may not feel comfortable discussing the spiritual or religious aspects of their lives • Assumption/fear to violate the principle of separation between church and state, institutional policies, or even campus cultural norms • Career advisors may not feel free to engage with students as they explore the spiritual side of decision-making • Advisors may feel as though they lack the necessary background and training

5. Moving forward • By and large, 85% of academic advisors reported to be comfortable with religious and spiritual topics in an advisement session • Reported that their comfort stemmed from their own religious or spiritual background • Others noted that they did not feel qualified to engage students in these area, that such topics are too private, or that they are not religious themselves.

6. Conclusion • Advisors will undoubtedly encounter those for whom religion and spirituality are integral to their sense of self, occupation, and future direction. • Religious diversity in training and clinical research has gained wide acceptance • Student affairs professionals responded proactively that the academy should take a role or at least respect the nexus of the spiritual and the academic