Enhancing Student Engagement: NSSE Assessment Results 2008-2014

1. 2008 – 2014 Results Chris Willis East Stroudsburg University Office of Assessment and Accreditation Spring 2015 http://nsse.iub.edu/

2. What is NSSE? • Administered by Indiana University at Bloomington • Online, links emailed by Indiana U • Assesses the extent to which students engage in educational practices associated with high levels of learning and development. • Results provide an estimate of how undergraduate students spend their time, what they gain from attending college • Items represent empirically confirmed “good practices” • All PASSHE schools must do it every 2 years 2

3. ESU’s Administrations • 2008, 2011, 2013: PASSHE required • Comparison data available • 2014: Mobile compatibility pilot • February-April • 2,193 students in the sample, with 653 (30%) responding • 1,164 First-years (24% response rate) • 1,029 Seniors (37% response rate) • PASSHE comparison data currently unavailable 3

4. A Couple of Caveats… • Room for interpretation in question wording • Tendency toward “higher ed speak” • Potential for sampling error • Who takes the survey • Toward whom it is marketed • New instrument introduced between the 2011 and 2013 administrations 4

5. A New Instrument • The survey was updated in 2012: • Benchmarks have been replaced with Engagement Indicators 5

6. An Example… • How much does your institution emphasize… • 2008/2011 – “Providing the support you need to thrive socially.” • 2013/2014 – “Providing opportunities to be involved socially.” 6

7. NSSE Engagement Indicators • Academic Challenge • Higher-Order Learning • Reflective and Integrative Learning • Quantitative Reasoning • Learning Strategies • Learning with Peers • Collaborative Learning • Discussions with Diverse Others 7

8. NSSE Engagement Indicators • Experiences with Faculty • Student-Faculty Interaction • Effective Teaching Practices • Campus Environment • Quality of Interactions • Supportive Environment • High-Impact Practices • Service-Learning • Study Abroad • Internships 8

9. Optional Modules • 2 of 8 additional modules can be added to the survey • For the 2014 administration, ESU chose: • Civic Engagement • Global Perspectives – Cognitive & Social • During PASSHE years (2008, 2011, 2013) PASSHE requires a custom module, and they choose 1 other for all schools to use 9

10. Selected ESU resultsNSSE 2008 - 2014

11. Respondent Demographics • Overwhelmingly female each year • Ranging from 68% to 72% • First-Years • Majority white, full-time, ~22 years old 11

12. The Life of an ESU Student • On average, about ¼ First-years work for pay on or off campus, compared to 42% of seniors • Participation in co-curricular activities has increased • From 63% in 2008 to 74% in 2014 • 50% volunteer/do community service* *Based on 2013 and 2014 data only. 12

13. The Life of an ESU Student • 48% spend 11+ hours/week socializing • 1/4 cared for dependents in 2014 • Down from a high of 36% in 2011 • 27% spend 5+ hours/week commuting to campus 13

14. Adjustment to College • To what extent does your institution emphasize a residential experience that facilitates adjustment to college? (Percent rating “quite a bit” or “very much.”) 14

15. Campus Safety • To what extent does your institution emphasize a safe environment for students by providing features and services that enhance safety? (Percent rating “quite a bit” or “very much.”) 15

16. Campus Interactions • Students. Percentage rating a 6 or 7 on a scale from 1 = “Poor” to 7 = “Excellent.” 16

17. Campus Interactions • Student Services staff (career services, student activities, housing, etc.). Percentage rating a 6 or 7 on a scale from 1 = “Poor” to 7 = “Excellent.” 17

18. Emphasis on Social Life • Institutional emphasis on providing opportunities to be involved socially. Percent responding “quite a bit” or “very much.” • Institutional emphasis on attending campus activities and events. Percent responding “quite a bit” or “very much.” 18

19. Emphasis on Social Life • Institutional emphasis on attending events that address important social, economic, or political issues. Percent responding “quite a bit” or “very much.” • Participation in clubs/ organizations. Percent reporting anything other than “never.” 19

20. Events & Activities • Attended an art exhibit, play, or other arts performance in the current school year. Percent responding anything other than “never.” 20

21. Events & Activities • Attended a university athletic event Percent responding anything other than “never.” • Hold a formal leadership role in a student organization or group. Percent answering “done or in progress” or “plan to do.” 21

22. Diversity • Institutional emphasis on encouraging contact among students from different backgrounds. • Most students (90%+) have had discussions with people of different races/ethnicities, economic backgrounds, religious beliefs, and political views than their own. 22

23. Diversity • Institutional contribution to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in understanding people of other backgrounds.* • 90% of First-years and 95% of Seniors have connected their learning to societal problems or issues in the current school year. 23 *Based on 2013 and 2014 data only

24. Service Learning • On average, 49% of First-years and 65% of Seniors have taken a course that included a community-based project (service learning). 24

25. Career Readiness • On average, 73% of First-years and 89% of Seniors have talked about career plans with a faculty member. • 8% of First-years and 58% of Seniors report participating in “an internship, co-op, field experience, student teaching, or clinical placement.” • 62% of First-years and 74% of Seniors believe ESU contributed to their acquisition of job- or work-related knowledge and skills “quite a bit” or “very much.” 25

26. Counseling & Health Services • 33% of First-years and 34% Seniors have used the Counseling Center or information on its webpage • Percentage responding “very much” or “quite a bit” on how much ESU emphasized helping manage non-academic responsibilities. 26

27. Counseling & Health Services • Percentage responding “very much” or “quite a bit” about how much the institution emphasized providing support for your overall well-being (recreation, health care, counseling, etc.). 27

28. The Educational Experience • How would you evaluate your entire educational experience at this institution? Percent rating “good” or “excellent.” 28

29. The Educational Experience • If you could start over again, would you go to the same institution you are now attending? (Percent “Probably Yes” and “Definitely Yes”) 29

30. What’s the Big Picture? • Busy students have only gotten busier • Work, social life, volunteering, academics • Diverse campus • Students talk/work with people from all walks of life • ESU’s campus environment • Lower ratings compared to other schools • Overall educational experience • Student ratings lower than PASSHE recently • Fewer students would definitely attend ESU again 30

31. NSSE 2015 • Invitations emailed Tuesday, February 17, 2015 • Survey links are provided by Indiana University at Bloomington • It is our job to remind students to check their emails • This year’s module will be “Experiences with Information Literacy” Spring Break 31

32. Thank yoU Chris Willis Assessment Specialist cwillis4@esu.edu 570-422-3459