Research
IDEALS
The interfaith diversity experiences and attitudes longitudinal survey is a groundbreaking national study of religious diversity in higher education.
About IDEALS
What did we study?
IDEALS explored a fundamental question: To what extent is the collegiate experience preparing students to be successful leaders in our religiously diverse society?
Who was involved?
Students on 122 U.S. campuses — including liberal arts colleges, religiously affiliated institutions, and public universities — participated in IDEALS from 2015–2019. At three points in their college careers, they were asked about their on-campus interfaith experiences, their knowledge and appreciation of different worldviews, and their commitment to bridging religious divides.
IDEALS Research
2019
Are students more likely to have at least one close inter-worldview friendship after their first year on campus? In what ways do these relationships affect student attitudes and personal growth?
2018
What conditions, educational practices, and experiences help first-year students to accomplish milestones in their interfaith learning and development?
2017
How do students perceive campus climate and navigate interactions with diverse others, particularly those who do not share the same worldview?
2016
How do students make meaning of their worldview identities? And, importantly, how do college students meaningfully engage across lines of worldview difference?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does religious diversity matter?
To address growing polarization in the United States, Americans need the skills and knowledge to effectively engage with people whose beliefs differ from their own.
Why study college students?
College is distinct in the way it brings diverse people together to live, work, and interact in a sustained way, so there is much to learn from these experiences about how to foster interfaith cooperation.
What are the most important things we learned from IDEALS?
Our research highlighted five major themes about college students’ interfaith engagement, their knowledge and attitudes toward different religious groups, and their commitment to bridgebuilding.
Who should use IDEALS findings?
Our findings have direct implications for stakeholders at all levels of higher education: presidents and VPs, faculty, and student affairs practitioners.
How can I learn more about the research?
IDEALS research is featured in a variety of reports available for download on our website.
Read recent news featuring IDEALS:
Behind the Research
IDEALS Co-Creators
The Ohio State University
Matthew Mayhew is the William Ray and Marie Adamson Flesher professor of educational administration with a focus on higher education and student affairs at The Ohio State University.
North Carolina State University
Alyssa Rockenbach is a professor of higher education and Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development at North Carolina State University.
IDEALS Race & Religion Research Collective
- Dr. Kanika Magee-Jones, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Special Assistant for Interfaith Programming, Howard University
- Dr. Sable Manson, Assistant Director for Student Leadership and Development for the Dornsife Joint Educational Project, University of Southern California
- Dr. Keon McGuire, Associate Professor in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and Faculty Affiliate with the School of Social Transformation, Arizona State University
- Dr. Darris Mean, Associate Professor and Dean’s Faculty Scholar in Equity, Justice, and Rural Education, University of Pittsburgh
- Dr. J.T. Snipes, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville
- Dr. Kameelah Mu’Min Rashad, Founder and President, Muslim Wellness Foundation
IDEALS Articles
INSPIRES Campus Climate Index
Inspired by data gathered through IDEALS, this institutional assessment tool sheds light on institutions’ efforts toward, and commitment to, establishing a welcoming campus climate for students of different worldview identities.
My hope is that any institution that participates – no matter how welcoming their climate is right now – will engage in a great conversation about how to best support their students’ exploration and development of their spiritual, religious, and secular identities.
– DR. ASHLEY STAPLES, DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP ADVISING & SCHOLARLY DEVELOPMENT, STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
Latest Articles
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Civic Life
How an LA Interfaith Coalition is Using ‘Freedom Schools’ to Defend Against ICE
December 24, 2025
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