Dr. Jane Thayer received a BA in English from Union College, an MA in English from the University of Northern Colorado, and a PhD in Educational Studies (Religious Education) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. She has taught English (and associated courses) at Campion Academy, College View Academy, Union College, Atlantic Union College, and Andrews University. From 1985 to 1991 Dr. Thayer served as Director or Associate Director of University Relations at Andrews University, editing FOCUS magazine all six years. In 1996 she began teaching religious education and serving as Director of University Assessment. In 2000 she became Director of the Religious Education Programs, which are now located in the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. For the past five years, she has taught spiritual formation and religious education courses at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.  
 
The graduate certificate program in Campus Spiritual Leadership that is offered by the Religious Education Programs mirrors Dr. Thayer's interest in young adult ministry. She and her husband are two of the sponsors of a young adult ministry (Encounter) for graduate students at Andrews University and for career young adults in the area. They are learning this ministry through trial and error. She feels a great burden for young adults who were raised in Adventist homes but who no longer have any relationship with the church.
 
Dr. Thayer's areas of research are the assessment of spirituality and college impact on student spiritual life. With statistical assistance from her husband, she developed a measure titled, Christian Spiritual Participation Profile, and one titled, Christian Life Commitment Scale. She is refining a book manuscript titled, Teaching for Discipleship: Strategies for Transformational Learning.

Topics: Discipleship, Christian Formation, College Impact on Student Spiritual Life, Assessment of Spirituality