First-Year Experiences & Senior Transitions NSSE Data Conversations

Agenda Introduction to NSSE YSU Mission Topical Module First-Year Data Review Discussion & Recommendations Senior Data Review

NSSE Student engagement First-Year and Senior students (Spring 2016) 26% overall response rate Benchmarked against “True Peers” YSU NSSE Overview Webinar: http://cms.ysu.edu/administrative-offices/assessment/nsse-2016

YSU Mission Statement “creative, integrated approach to education [and] scholarship” “students at its center” “leads in the discovery, dissemination, and application of knowledge” “advances civic, scientific, and technology development” “intellectually curious students” “access to a broad rage of undergraduate programs” “supports economic development through applied learning and research”

Topical Module Set of items for first-year students and set for senior students First-Year items explore: academic perseverance help-seeking behaviors institutional commitment Senior items explore: post-graduation plans links between the academic major and future plans confidence in skill development Compared to module mean (N=237)

First-Year Experiences

During the current school year, how often have you done the following? % Answering “Often” or “Very Often” YSU Module Studied when there were other interesting things to do 55%* 61% Found additional information for course assignments when you didn’t understand the material 62%* 67% Participated in course discussions, even when you didn’t feel like it 46%* 55% Asked instructors for help when you struggled with course assignments 45% 49% Finished something you have started when you encountered challenges 78% 80% Stayed positive, even when you did poorly on a test or assignment 68% * Statistically significant difference in YSU versus module

During the current school year, how difficult have the following been for you? 1 = “Not Difficult at All” 6 = “Very Difficult”

During the current school year, about how often have you sought help with coursework from the following sources?

During the current school year, have you seriously considered leaving this institution? Top 5 Reasons: Personal Reasons (family issues, physical or mental health, homesickness, stress) Financial Concerns (costs or financial aid) Not enough opportunities to socialize and have fun To change career options (transfer to another school or program, military service, etc.) Campus climate, location, or culture

Discussion & Recommendations 70% of FY students indicate that it is “Very Important” for them to graduate from YSU, only 33% of students do. What happens? What else stands out about the FY data? Is the data consistent with your experiences with FY students? In your opinion, how important is the experience of students in their FY to their overall persistence and completion? What can YSU do to better serve FY students? Hand out article and hand out leave report

SENIOR TRANSITIONS

Immediate Plans After Graduation 46% of Senior students have Senior status, but won’t be graduating until at least Fall 17 54% of Senior students participating in the module will graduate Spring/Summer 16 62% seeking employment 28% seeking graduate school 10% Other

If your immediate plans are FT or PT employment, do you already have a job after graduation? Of the 62% graduating this Spring/Summer and seeking FT/PT employment…

To what extent has your coursework in your major(s) emphasized the following?

% Answering “Quite a Bit” or “Very Much” How much confidence do you have in your ability to complete tasks requiring the following skills & abilities? % Answering “Quite a Bit” or “Very Much” YSU Module Creative thinking and problem solving 92% 93% Critical thinking and analysis of arguments and information 90%* 92%* Clear writing 86% Research skills 81% 83% Leadership skills 82% Technological skills 77% 75% Persuasive speaking 73% 74% Networking and relationship building Financial and business management skills 52% Entrepreneurial skills 40% 43% * Statistically significant difference in YSU versus module

Discussion & Recommendations Do any comments stand out or relate to something you’ve experienced in working with students? What is YSU’s role in students post-graduation plans? What else stands out about the Senior data? Is the data consistent with your experiences with Senior students? What can YSU do to better prepare Senior students? Hand out student comments