Program
Education Doctorate
Number of Pages
251
Year Approved
2026
First Advisor
Jolyn Dahlvig
Second Reader
Mark Muha
Third Reader
Mark Yarhouse
Abstract
This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study explored how nine transgender and gender diverse (TGD) alumni from member institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) interpreted their undergraduate experiences with belonging and exclusion. Given the unique religious climates of CCCU schools, these alumni navigated complex tensions between their personal faith, gender identity, and institutional expectations. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, participants reflected retrospectively on their collegiate journeys, emphasizing the evolving meaning they ascribed to these experiences both during and after their enrollment. Analysis revealed a distinct temporal movement across three primary phases: entering college with idealized expectations of spiritual and social belonging, navigating systemic and institutional barriers during their tenure, and ultimately reconstructing a sense of belonging following graduation. Throughout these phases, participants detailed how their interactions with campus policies, faculty, and peers influenced their faith development. The findings illuminate how specific religious institutional contexts shape the meaning-making processes of TGD students. Furthermore, the study highlights the enduring impact of undergraduate environments on post-graduate identity, suggesting a critical need for CCCU institutions to evaluate their support structures to foster more inclusive environments for all students. Keywords: Interpretative phenomenological analysis, transgender and gender diverse students, Christian higher education, spiritual formation, sense of belonging, resilience
Degree Name
Education Doctorate
Document Type
Doctoral dissertation
Recommended Citation
Martin, K. E. (2026). Transgender and Gender Diverse Alumni Sense of Belonging in Christian Higher Education: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis [Doctoral dissertation, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/1261
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