Epiphany Wells, a junior majoring in general studies and human environmental sciences, would love to leave a lasting mark on The University of Alabama.
And with the National Survey of Student Engagement now open until May 15 at 11:59 p.m., she would have an opportunity to do just. But she can’t. The NSSE, as the survey is widely known, is open only to freshmen and seniors.
“This only happens every six years,” Wells said. “With freshmen coming in they will be able to say ‘in my four years of college I was a trailblazer.’ For the seniors who are graduating, they will leave a legacy by doing this.
“These freshmen and seniors are part of an exclusive group at The University of Alabama.”
The NSSE is a census of student engagement that nearly 500 U.S. colleges and universities are participating in this year. It allows freshmen and seniors to share their unique experiences about the University with UA administrators in a way that could have an impact on thousands of future UA students.
“NSSE gives voice to a diverse range of students from all realms of life. Every voice and every opinion matters. All of those voices are what make up our University.” Dr. Jennifer F. Humber, director of student services at UA
Specifically, the survey results will be used to determine how students use their time and what they gain from attending UA so administrators know what areas of student life are working well and what areas need improvement.
“About 1 in 10 first-year and senior students completed the NSSE last time we gave it in 2013,” said Dr. Heather Pleasants, associate director of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. “We’d like to do much better than that this time.
“We have the opportunity to make sure that UA has up-to-date information on the range of experiences that students have here and come to a holistic understanding of student experiences — if students around the University complete the survey.”
Dr. Jennifer F. Humber, director of student services, used NSSE results in her doctoral research on student engagement as it relates to online courses.
While conducting her research, she often met with students who were frustrated with various aspects of student life. What she appreciates about the NSSE is that it provides students with an opportunity to give unedited feedback so that their true voice, whether that’s positive or negative, can be expressed.
“It allows us to know the cold, hard facts of what the real picture is according to students,” she said. “As an administrator, I’m trying to implement things that I think are beneficial, but this allows students to give us feedback so we know if what we’re doing is important and working.”
Humber said students excelling in their coursework is not the only thing that matters. What’s important is students reaching their true potential, which will only happen if they’re happy, healthy, socially encouraged and challenged by their peers.
“We’re trying to develop well-rounded, intelligent individuals who can pursue variety when they leave here,” she said. “The culture that we provide for them here will ultimately lead to the culture that they make for themselves when they leave this campus.”
A link to the survey can be found in the announcement section of the myBama home page. In addition, emails have been – and will continue to be – sent to students from UA President Stuart Bell and NSSE with links to the survey and polite reminders to take it.