hanks to the work being done at the Higher Education Research Institute we know what relationship many students in America relate to spiritual and religious questions. But what about the other side of the classroom? What do faculty members think about the importance of these issues in relation to their own lives and their teaching responsibilities?

Early in 2006, the Helen and Sandy Astin released the results of a new study surveying 40,670 faculty members at 421 colleges and universities. The results of “Spirituality and the Professoriate: A National Study of Faculty Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behaviors,” results were surprising, reassuring, or frustrating, depending on your point of view.

The response by the national media reflects the public’s desire to better understand the core beliefs of those teaching and studying at our nation’s colleges and universities.

“College faculty split over spirituality role” USA Today
“Most U.S. professors say they’re religious”

Dallas Morning News
“Most Professors Believe Education Should Enhance Students’ Self-Understanding and Development of Values, Survey Finds” The Chronicle of Higher Education


Click here for Faculty Study Findings