Educating About Religious Diversity and Interfaith Engagement - Softcover

Kathleen M. Goodman is an Assistant Professor of Student Affairs in Higher Education, Miami University.

Mary Ellen Giess is the Senior Director of Co-Curricular Partnerships, Interfaith Youth Core.

Eboo Patel is the Founder and President, Interfaith Youth Core.

Kevin Kruger An accomplished speaker, leader, and educator, Kevin Kruger joined NASPA as Associate Executive Director in 1994, and became its first executive-level President on March 15, 2012. In his capacity as a national advocate for students and the primary spokesperson for student affairs administrators and practitioners, he draws on more than 30 years of experience in higher education.

Prior to NASPA, Dr. Kruger worked for 15 years at the University of Maryland College Park and the University of Maryland Baltimore County. During his tenure at the University of Maryland he worked in orientation, student activities, leadership development, admissions, and with the vice president for student affairs office. Dr. Kruger has also served as an adjunct faculty member in the Student Development in Higher Education program at Trinity College in Washington, DC.

Dr. Kruger represents NASPA in national forums such as the Washington Higher Education Secretariat, which includes the leaders of approximately 50 higher education associations. While at NASPA, he has pursued a number of initiatives designed to enhance the association's role in public policy, research, professional development, and student learning and assessment, with a particular interest in the use of technology in serving diverse student populations.

Dr. Kruger has published and presented nationally on leadership development, using technology in student affairs administration, international education and is a regular lecturer on technology in student affairs, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, assessment and student learning. He is the editor of two Jossey-Bass publications, Technology Innovations in Student Services and Using Technology to Promote Student Learning. He also has chapters in The Handbook of Student Affairs Administration.

Cindi Love Dr. Cindi Love officially assumed the role of Executive Director of ACPA―College Student Educators International on July 1, 2014.

Dr. Love’s background uniquely positions her to assume this post. With significant experience in higher education, for-profit and non-profit management, and social justice work, Love will advance the Association’s current strategic plan and guide our future contributions to higher education and student services globally.

Complete CV

From the Foreword:
“While we have increased our emphasis on racial and gender identity over the past twenty years, higher education has not had a commensurate effort to create a deeper understanding of the important role college years play in student’s religious, secular, and spiritual identity.

This book, through case studies and examples of relevant research and practice, will be an important resource for creating programs that encourage interfaith dialogue and promote a greater understanding of the religious and secular diversity represented among our students.” (Kevin Kruger, President NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education)

"If you dream about humanity bending toward justice, or relationships that nurture peace and even love, you understand that religious, secular, and spiritual diversity education is a critical frontier for higher education. History has taught us that college campuses are catalysts for movements of inclusion and human transformation―and Goodman, Giess, Patel and colleagues implore us to design learning environments that champion interfaith engagement to this end. A treasure of pedagogically sound and practical wisdom awaits. I could not stop reading."

(Frank Shushok, Jr., Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Associate Virginia Tech)

"The editors of this volume have produced a timely, thoughtful, and responsible effort that locates the importance of excellent interfaith practice within the good work of Student Affairs. Offering examples of effective co-curricular pedagogical tools -- programs, activities, events and case studies – designed to help students engage in productive exchange across worldview differences, the editors have provided an invaluable resource for institutional stakeholders specifically interested in inclusive interfaith engagement." (Matthew J. Mayhew, The William Ray and Marie Adamson Flesher Professor of Educational Administration The Ohio State University)

"The writers in this volume bravely and empathetically address the fascinating religious and secular diversity on college campuses. Unlike those wishing to use the student affairs profession to advance a narrow moral agenda, these writers lead the way in showing respect, justice and honor to the breadth of humanity in our universities. If read sympathetically and used wisely, their insights and advice can lead us to a deeper understanding of and love for each other." (Perry L. Glanzer, Professor of Educational Foundations and Resident Scholar Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion)

“Goodman, Giess and Patel masterfully and poignantly remind us that If we are truly committed to the holistic development of our students, creating more inclusive communities, and developing capacities that form global citizens then we must facilitate opportunities for college students to learn about their, and others, religious, spiritual and secular identities. Their message is clarifying and strikes as a moral imperative if we understand that our greatest mission is the utmost development of human potential. They generously and wisely offer us many paths forward!”

(Patty Perillo, Vice President for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor of Higher Education, Virginia Tech; Past President of ACPA-College Student Educators International .)