University of Northern Iowa College Portrait

The National Survey of Student Engagement, or NSSE ("nessie"), has been administered through the Office of Academic Assessment at UNI every spring since the 2005-2006 school year. NSSE was originally identified for use, along with other data, to examine student learning outcomes related to the goals of the UNI Liberal Arts Core, or general education program.

Beyond its use with the Core, NSSE provides information on student experiences and perceptions that is used by a wide range of academic and student affairs departments and offices across campus. For example, NSSE data have been used by the UNI Diversity Council, the Foundations of Excellence studies of the first-year experience and the transfer year experience at UNI, First Year Council, and the Office of Academic Advising. Data gained from NSSE are shared on web sites maintained by the Office of Academic Assessment and the Office of Institutional Research.

Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.

Group Learning Experiences

• 96.0% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
• 53.0% of seniors tutored or taught other students
• 28.0% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports

Active Learning Experiences

• 87.0% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
• 16.0% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
• 57.0% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
• 64.0% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
• 18.0% of seniors participated in study abroad
• 96.0% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year

Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success

• 97.0% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
• 69.0% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
• 65.0% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
• 93.0% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations

Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff

• 57.0% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
• 78.0% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
• 96.0% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
• 65.0% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class

Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas

• 61.0% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
• 86.0% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
• 33.0% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity

Student Satisfaction

• 85.0% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
• 89.0% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
• 84.0% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive

Evaluation of Experiences

Survey Administration Process

Survey Information