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ERIC Number: ED635771
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 154
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3796-1091-3
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
At a Crossroads: Student Affairs Professionals' Developmental Journey to Support LGBQ Students at Christian Colleges and Universities
Scibetta, Dominica J.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles
Student affairs professionals (SA-pros) play a critical role throughout campus life (Gaston-Gayles, Wolf-Wendel, Tuttle, Twombly, & Ward, 2005; Hirt, 2006; 2009). Although these staff are trained and responsible for LGBQ student well-being (Kezar, 2010; Kezar, Gallant, & Lester, 2011), those serving at Christ-centered institutions are underprepared to balance professional training, campus expectations, and LGBQ student care, leading to professional tensions (Pickering, 2017; Scibetta, 2016; 2019). The following qualitative study explored the experiences of 10 student affairs staff at Christian campuses negotiating professional, institutional, and personal tensions in efforts to support LGBQ students. Findings interpreted through Schein's (2010) levels of organizational culture and Baxter Magolda's (2001) theory of self-authorship revealed that although campuses espoused familial, close-knit, and like-minded Christian values, when confronted with LGBQ issues daily practice was complex, confusing, silent, fearful, and political. Navigating these misalignments led to tensions of loyalty, action, trust, and faith. Participants' negotiation of these tensions varied. Some continued to rely on external authority for direction while others encountered a crossroads that prompted a renegotiation of their relationships, practice, and Christianity. Within these campuses, affirming students' sexual orientation identity required participants to grow in multiple ways -- accepting of ambiguity, considering multiple perspectives, developing underground webs of support, and at times repositioning their faith. Self-authoring participants refused to comply with campus expectations and found new ways to support LGBQ students. Recommendations for future research and practice related to self-authorship in a Christian college context, student-staff relationships, graduate level training, and the Christian college approach to LGBQ issues are provided. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A