IDEALS Symposium Spotlight: Tiffani Riggers-Piehl, Kate Lehman, and Emily Sandvall

IDEALS Research
Sep 5, 2018 · 4 min read
Left: Dr. Kate Lehman; Center: Dr. Tiffani Riggers-Piehl; Right: Emily Sandvall

This is part of a series featuring IDEALS research awardees presenting at the IDEALS Research Symposium in Atlanta on September 13–14.

Tiffani Riggers-Piehl is Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Foundations at the University of Missouri — Kansas City
Kate Lehman is Associate Director and Postdoctoral Scholar: Building, Recruiting, and Inclusion for Diversity (BRAID) Research Initiative at the University of California — Los Angeles
Emily Sandvall is Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs in the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Baylor University

Presentation title: The Role of College Experiences in the Development of Self-Authored Worldview Commitment for First-Year STEM Students

Abstract: In consideration of nationwide efforts to recruit and retain a diverse group of students to STEM fields, in particular remedying participation gaps for women and students of color, the present study uses the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Study (IDEALS) to examine how first-year STEM students develop a spiritual worldview in college. Further, the study examines differences by STEM subfield to better understand how some disciplines within STEM may be more or less receptive to spiritual and religious inquiry and practice.


Q1: Why are you interested in worldview diversity and/or interfaith engagement?

Kate Lehman: In my work on diversifying STEM fields, I often focus on various aspects of students’ identities, particularly their gender and/or racial/ethnic identities, that may shape their experience within a STEM major and intersect with their identities as scientists. Students’ spiritual worldview is another aspect of students’ identities that is often overlooked, especially when addressing questions of diversity within STEM. As we seek to make STEM majors inclusive and supportive for all students, I want to be sure that we also understand the role of students’ worldviews in their science identities.

Students’ spiritual worldview is another aspect of students’ identities that is often overlooked, especially when addressing questions of diversity within STEM.

Q2: How do your personal research interests align or intersect with IDEALS research? In what unique ways do your personal research interests extend the work of IDEALS?

Emily Sandvall: As a student affairs professional residing within an academic area, I am passionate about encouraging holistic development of students through their college experience. While my work with my colleagues focuses a lot on academic success, I am always seeking new ways to support our STEM population based on their unique needs, wants, and desires. As I work to create a more hospitable environment for an increasingly diverse student body, I want to understand how a student’s spiritual worldview has an impact on their success and persistence. This research will allow me to scaffold intentional conversations, programs, and conversations to address this in their educational journey.

While my work with my colleagues focuses a lot on academic success, I am always seeking new ways to support our STEM population based on their unique needs, wants, and desires.

Tiffani Riggers-Piehl: My research examines the way that students develop spiritual characteristics while in college, with an emphasis on student-faculty interaction and extending into student-staff interactions and student-student interactions. In thinking about the work of IDEALS, I see a natural partnership and extension to not only learning how students’ spiritual characteristics change but also to better understanding how their diverse interactions with others may support the development of those spiritual characteristics and identities.

Q3: Who is the key audience for your IDEALS-related research? How do you see this audience leveraging IDEALS research to increase understanding/engagement of worldview diversity and interfaith engagement?

Group response: Our primary audiences are student affairs practitioners and academic administrators who are working to facilitate interfaith interactions on campus as well as to create welcoming campus environments for their students. As current and former student affairs practitioners ourselves, we believe that offering theoretical and practical research will help advocate for change on college campuses to create a better experience for students. With regard to our current project, we have a close eye on STEM fields and departments and helping administrators in those areas develop welcoming climates that will improve retention and persistence of historically under-supported groups.


About the Symposium

The IDEALS Research Symposium will occur on September 13–14 in Atlanta. The Symposium will be a unique gathering where scholars and campus educators can come together to explore cutting-edge research with an emphasis on practical application, build a community of practitioners who have shared learning and language from the IDEALS project, and work to make meaning of the information together.

The gathering will highlight the work of the IDEALS Research Awards, bridge research with campus practice, and feature nationally renowned speakers, including IFYC’s Dr. Eboo Patel, and the Co-Principal Investigators for IDEALS, Dr. Matthew Mayhew and Dr. Alyssa Rockenbach. The program will include engaging and interactive workshops, in-depth discussions of IDEALS findings, and ample opportunities for networking and connecting with peers at other campuses.

IDEALS Research

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The Interfaith Diversity Experiences & Attitudes Longitudinal Study

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