CSU–Pueblo students rank institution above peers, national average

Pueblo –Seniors at Colorado State University-Pueblo rated the University above its peer institutions on all five benchmarks included in the 2005 National Survey of Student Engagement, released earlier this month. Seniors rated the University higher than seniors at 24 peer institutions similar in size, budget, and mission to CSU-Pueblo, while freshman scored the school higher than peers on three of the five criteria. (Note: A list of peer institutions appears at the end of this release.)

The 2005 report from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is based on information from about 237,000 first-year and senior students at 528 four-year colleges and universities. The NSSE study, titled “Exploring Different Dimensions of Student Engagement,” gives schools an idea of how well students are learning and what they put into and get out of their undergraduate experience. The 2005 Report is sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

The survey findings annually provide comparative standards for determining how effectively colleges are contributing to learning. Five key areas of educational performance are measured: 1) level of academic challenge, 2) active and collaborative learning, 3) student-faculty interaction, 4) enriching educational experiences, and 5) supportive campus environment.

According to Provost Barbara Montgomery, a review of NSSE results from two years ago resulted in the development of a strategic plan to improve the learning experiences of students both in and out of class.

Student responses this year were higher than they were two years ago in the areas CSU-Pueblo had targeted for special improvement efforts. For example, students this year reported that they participated more actively in class, used higher level critical thinking skills (e.g., synthesizing ideas, reaching conclusions based on data) and talked more often with faculty out of class about their assignments, grades, ideas from readings, and career plans. Students also said they learned more about diverse perspectives (different cultures, races, ideas) and discussed them more with faculty and other students.

“Overall, this year students reported being more satisfied with their entire educational experience at CSU-Pueblo,” Montgomery said. “Our faculty and staff will be encouraged to see that their efforts are clearly working and will be motivated to do even more.”

Senior ratings exceeded the peer average on all five benchmarks as follows: Student-Faculty Interaction (47.3% to 42.4%), Level of Academic Challenge (57.9/54.9), and Active and Collaborative Learning (56.9/50.5) and Supportive Campus Environment (57.4/56.6), Enriching Educational Experiences (39.8/37.8). Freshman scored CSU-Pueblo higher than its peers on Active and Collaborative Learning (41.5/40.5), Level of Academic Challenge (50.2/49.2), and Student/Faculty Interaction (36.5/32.9).

The University earned its highest marks in the Active and Collaborative Learning category, which questioned student involvement in learning in various settings from class presentations and group projects to participation in community-based projects and involvement in discussions or tutoring sessions outside the classroom.

The Supportive Campus Environment questions tallied the perceived quality of relationships with other students, faculty members, and administrative personnel and offices as well as whether the campus environment provided support to help students succeed, to help students cope with non-academic responsibilities, and to help students thrive socially.

Student and Faculty Interaction rated interactions with faculty members inside and outside the classroom and the extent to which those teachers became role models, mentors, and guides for continuous, life-long learning.

Level of Academic Challenge concerned the institution’s promotion of high levels of student achievement through emphasis of academic effort and setting high expectations for student performance through numbers and length of required papers, course readings, and class preparation.

The Enriching Educational Experiences benchmark is related to a student’s participation in co-curricular activities and opportunities for study abroad, senior and field experiences, and interactions with students from different economic, social, and racial or ethnic backgrounds.

Among the key findings of the 2005 report nationally are:
• The 54% of all first-year students who took a first-year seminar were more likely to use campus services, were more satisfied with college, and gained more in terms of personal and social development.
• African American and Asian American students are the least satisfied with their college experiences.
• Three of 10 first-year students reported studying just enough to get by.
• Although more than 90 percent of new students expect they will get involved in co-curricular activities, 36 percent of first-year students and 43 percent of seniors do none.
• Graduates of institutions where students interact more with faculty and have a more supportive campus environment are more likely to make financial contributions to the
school.
• At institutions where faculty members use proven teaching practices, such as frequent feedback and class discussions, students are more satisfied and more likely to interact with their teachers and peers.

NSSE 2005 Selected Peer Institutions for CSU-Pueblo:
Auburn University at Montgomery AL
Bemidji State University MN
CUNY Medgar Evers College NY
Eastern Oregon University OR
Fort Hays State University KS
Illinois State University IL
Indiana State University IN
Indiana University-Kokomo IN
Indiana University-South Bend IN
Middle Tennessee State TN
Missouri Western State College MO
Norfolk State University VA
Salisbury University MD
Southern Oregon University OR
Stephen F. Austin State TX
SUNY-Potsdam NY
SUNY-Fredonia NY
Richard Stockton College of NJ NJ
University of Tennessee-Martin TN
University of West Florida FL
University of Alaska Anchorage AK
University of Alaska Southeast AK
University of Central Florida FL
Western Illinois University IL


 Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.