1. First-Year Experiences & Senior Transitions
NSSE Data Conversations

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

3. NSSE Student engagement First-Year and Senior students (Spring 2016)
26% overall response rate
Benchmarked against “True Peers”
YSU NSSE Overview Webinar:

4. 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”

5. 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)

6. First-Year Experiences

7. 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

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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. SENIOR TRANSITIONS

13. 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

14. 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…

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

16. % 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

17. 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