Tiffani A. Riggers-Piehl

Dr. Tiffani Riggers-Piehl researches the ways that students develop meaning, purpose, and belonging in college across multiple identity dimensions. While earning her Ph.D. at UCLA, she studied college student spirituality and student-faculty interactions. Her dissertation, “Enhancing Classrooms and Conversations: How Interactions with Faculty Predict Change in Students’ Spirituality in College” identifies ways that faculty can be more involved in students’ meaning-making and spiritual development. Since then she has focused her research on topics including spiritual and moral development, research and teaching, and gender differences in education. Prior to her studies at UCLA, Tiffani earned a Master of Science degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Baylor University, where she discovered her interested in scholarly pursuits. Dr. Riggers-Piehl’s research has been featured in the Teacher’s College Record, Research in Higher Education, and Religion and Education, among other journals. Her professional passions include teaching and training, investigating the college student experience, and creating a collegial academic community. She is also the coordinator for the MA and EdD programs in Higher Education Leadership at UMKC (since 2019). In her personal life, she leads a Girl Scout troop, enjoys embroidery and playing board games.