Student spiritual development: A guide for the integration of living

and learning

Deborah Cady Melzer, Ph.D.Vice President for Student Development

Le Moyne College

Session OverviewReflective exerciseOverview of spiritual developmentEngaging big questionsIntegrative learningCross collaboration opportunitiesDiscussion

ReflectionJamesMariaSarah

Spiritual Development involves…an internal process of seeking personal authenticity,

genuineness, and wholeness as an aspect of identity development.

the process of continually transcending one’s current locus of centricity.

developing a greater connectedness to self and others through relationships and union with community.

deriving meaning, purpose, and direction in one’s life.increasing openness to exploring a relationship with an

intangible and pervasive power or essence that exists beyond human existence and rational human knowing (Love & Talbot, 1999, p. 364).

Spirituality is…Meaning, reflection, wholeness,

connection, culture, inward orientation, outward practice, sacrifice, search,

higher meaning, obedience, personal growth, identity

Student views on spirituality

A sense of wholeness in one’s identity or a connection with the divine

Both a personal and communal quest

Fowler’s stages of faith developmentPrimal faithIntuitive projective faithMythic-literal faithSynthetic-conventional faithIndividuative-reflective faithConjunctive faithUniversalizing faith

Park’s Mentoring CommunityThe peer group is the most influential vehicle for student

growth and development (Astin, 1993; Dalton & Petrie, 1997; Parks, 2000; Pascarella & Terenzini, 1991).

Students work through life shipwrecks within the context of a supportive and challenging environment (Parks, 2000).

Spirituality as a tool for…Student DevelopmentEngaging Meaningful ConversationsCross unit collaborations

Student DevelopmentUnderstanding Self

Self-actualizationVocational DiscernmentValues clarificationWholeness

Understanding OthersOpennessConversation StrategiesConversation Outcomes

Understanding the WorldPhilosophy of LifePrivilegeService to Others

Understanding FaithComfort with the unknownRelationship with the divineConnection between faith and life

Diverse ConversationsRelational ContextEncountering OthernessCommon Language of Understanding

Conversation StrategiesConversation Strategy in the Context of Mentoring

Communities

Event spurred a meaning of life questionSelf-reflective thought processingTest out ideas or beliefs on like minded peersTest out and/or debate ideas or beliefs with perceived

otherness

Cross Unit CollaborationsHigh impact practicesCore ComponentsJesuit pedagogy

High impact practicesFirst year seminars and experiences,Common intellectual experiences,Learning communities,Writing-intensive courses,Collaborative assignments and projects.Undergraduate research,Diversity and global learning,Community-based learning,InternshipsCapstone courses and projects,Academic advising integrated into curriculum

Core components

Jesuit pedagogy

Jesuit student affairsAccompanimentExploring Questions of MeaningWell-educated solidarity

Student VoiceIf the world was void of uncertainty, then we

wouldn’t need spirituality as a lens to understand the world. If we lived in a certain world, rationality would lead us to knowledge and to truth just fine. Somehow all that is happening in today’s world can not simply be explained or found to be true by rational methods alone. My Jesuit education not only allows but encourages me to seek truth and knowledge through my education, my faith, my experiences of the world, and my inner soul.

ConclusionThe Deck Prism

Discussion How might the developmental perspective of

today’s college student affect our role as student affairs educators in the Jesuit tradition?

What opportunities and challenges do we face in being called as the authentic mentors, student development and Jesuit tradition suggests we be, to our students?

Contact InformationDeb Cady MelzerVP for Student DevelopmentLe Moyne Collegecadymedm@lemoyne.edu315-445-4525