Helen S. Astin – författare

Cultivating the Spirit THIS GROUNDBREAKING WORK IS BASED on a five-year study of how students change during the college years and the role college plays in facilitating the development of their spiritual qualities. Students, the authors argue, grapple with the big questions in life: Who am I? What are my values? Do I have a mission in life? Why am I in college? What kind of person do I want to be? What sort of world do I want to help to create? Their answers to these questions help determine their academic and career choices and are tied to the development of personal qualities such as empathy, caring, and social responsibility. The study finds that, while students' religious engagement declines during college, at the same time they become substantially more caring, tolerant, connected with others, and actively egaged in a spiritual quest. Spiritual growth also enhances academic performance, leadership development, and satisfaction with college. The study provides strong evidence pointing to specific experiences during college that can contribute to students' spiritual growth. The need for spiritual development in college is apparent. Two-thirds of the students in the study express a strong interest in spiritual matters, well over half report that their professors never encourage discussions of religious or spiritual matters, and about the same proportion report that professors never provide opportunities to discuss the purpose and meaning of life. Cultivating the Spirit aims to raise the awareness of academic administrators, faculty, and the public at large to the vital role that spirituality plays in student learning and development. Throughout the book, the authors identify strategies for enhancing students' development and encourage the academy to give greater priority to the spiritual aspects of students' educational and personal development.

"Thoughtful, intelligent, and probing--going beyond the stereotypes to get at some of the real issues for and experiences of women who are or could be leaders. . . . A wellspring of information--and inspiration--for women in all fields and at all levels."--Booklist "What is distinctive about Women of Influence, Women of Vision is the book's presentation of issues.... Astin and Leland show readers how the women in their sample share a passion for justice.... The narrative, at once unsentimental and celebratory, is remarkably affirming." --Contemporary Psychology "The interview material provides much suggestive data, the chronologies are useful, and the theoretical suggestions stimulating. A worthwhile addition to any library." --Choice "A book for students, for teachers, for scholars, and for any woman who wants to know how the struggles of individual women came to create what is collectively known in this country as the women's movement." --Ann W. Richards, former governor of Texas "Astin and Leland go beyond rhetoric and statistical compilations to actual hands-on experiences and accomplishments. . . . What the authors find bodes well for the future." --Clark Kerr, president emeritus, University of California "The single best book on women and leadership." --Warren Bennis, distinguished professor of business administration, University of Southern California, and author of Why Leaders Can't Lead and On Becoming a Leader