Abstract
Employee participation in institutional religious and spiritual activities is essential for holistic human development in Catholic higher education. This study examines employee participation patterns in the Advent recollection at Divine Word College of Legazpi and explores how behavioral management strategies can enhance meaningful engagement beyond mere attendance. Using a descriptive research design, the study analyzed institutional attendance records from 2024 and 2025 and behavioral indicators of engagement, including attentiveness, reflection, and responsiveness during recollection activities. Participation declined from 87% in 2024 to 64.53% in 2025, with an additional 2.51% recorded as excused in 2025. The findings suggest that external rewards and incentives initially encouraged attendance but were insufficient to sustain deeper and meaningful engagement, resulting primarily in compliance-oriented participation. Behavioral observations further indicated that extrinsic reinforcement had limited influence on sustained reflection and internal motivation. The findings also suggest that employees may move from externally regulated participation toward deeper engagement characterized by belongingness, personal meaning, and fulfillment when appropriate formative support is provided. Based on these findings, the study proposes structured interventions that combine behavioral reinforcement with reflective and formative processes. These include value-centered reflection, relational activities, recognition of active participation, and strategies that support autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Systematic monitoring through behavioral indicators and periodic evaluation is also recommended to assess progress and refine interventions. The study concludes that behavioral management strategies are more effective when integrated with approaches that cultivate intrinsic motivation, personal meaning, and community connection. Such an integrated approach can shift employee participation from reward-based compliance toward authentic, purpose-driven engagement, thereby supporting spiritual formation, employee development, and organizational cohesion in Catholic higher education.