Similarities in spirituality, beliefs, and values among selected college student populations in South Carolina

While increasing numbers of college students nationwide share tenets that embody spirituality, the problem is that not all types of institutions of higher learning recognize such tenets as integral to their mission or curricula. For example, technical college graduates tend to enter into social mainstream ahead of liberal arts graduates; however, researchers agree institutions that foster both cognitive and affective learning environments will prepare graduates better for diversity and rapid change the future holds. Further, there is a paucity of data comparing spirituality between technical college students and liberal arts students within the same geographic area.; This study was a comparison of spirituality of students at one technical college and two liberal arts universities in South Carolina. Research questions were focused on similarities in spirituality and religion among students in dissimilar campus environments, and if students expected their college to provide venues for spiritual enrichment. Based on survey data collected from 1,920 student volunteers, the research concluded that sectarian college students often ranked more extreme on themes that embraced fundamental Judeo-Christian philosophies compared with nonsectarian and technical college students. Most striking, however, were analogous mean scores shared between nonsectarian and technical college students on tenets central to spirituality and expectations. Specifically, technical college respondents viewed themselves to be as spiritual as students at traditional campus-based liberal arts institutions. Further, they possessed greater levels of tolerance and acceptance of diversity.; Results from research suggest that technical college administrators might revisit curricula and introduce courses where spirituality is integrated as a fundamental component of both career and self-development. It is important that administrators, faculty, and students in higher education embrace change and recognize the impact a spiritual awakening could have on a secularized society. Today's colleges and universities are faced with the social responsibility to create environments, which inspire and empower students to apply their spirituality so they might become new models for leadership. An increase in spiritual leaders could have a powerful effect on positive social change.