Survey Dives Into Student Engagement

THE METROPOLITAN « MARCH 6, 2008 « METRO « A5

Survey dives into student engagement By andrew flohr-spence [email protected] It sounds like a marriage proposal from the deep waters of Loch Ness: Nessie wants to know if students are engaged. But the National Survey of Student Engagement (the acronym pronounced “Nessie”) isn’t looking for a new spouse, it wants to know how involved students are in activities that improve their academic success. In March and April, 2,500 freshmen and 2,500 seniors at Metro will be selected to participate in the online survey, joining the around 300,000 students at more than 500 institutions nationwide that take part in the program each spring. “If you really wanted to get your voice heard and you’ve always said, ‘Gee, I wish they listened to me,’ this is an invitation,” said Larry Worster, director of student services technology and assessment and in charge of the survey at Metro. Students chosen randomly from within samples that represent the demographics of the student body will receive an e-mail

invitation in early March and then three e-mail reminders. “We always hear from our students that they want Metro State to listen to their voices,” said Kathleen MacKay, vice president for Student Services. “Here is the perfect opportunity to be heard and make a difference in the future of the college.” Worster said faculty and staff use the survey to pinpoint how to improve student engagement. Survey items represent empirically confirmed “good practices” in undergraduate education, providing an estimate of how students spend their time and what they gain from college. “This is something … a part of a national movement for higher education to be accountable to its public,” Worster said. “We obtain rich data from it, rich understandings from our students from it, and it only takes a student 20 minutes.” Worster said the survey focuses on student experiences that research suggests promote student success. The questions relate to five ‘benchmark’ categories, which the schools can compare against national aver-

ages for institutions of their type. For example, urban campuses with urban campuses, 4-year institutions with 4-year institutions, etc. Colleges and universities nationwide use the data to analyze how and where they can improve students’ educational experience, and students and parents can use the data to find the campus environment they are looking for. The NSSE, run from a research center at Indiana University Bloomington, started in 2000 after a pilot year in 1999 and has since collected data from more than 1.4 million students at nearly 1,200 colleges and universities. Metro has participated every two years since 2002. The survey is updated each year to keep up with changes such as more questions on technology. And with each year, the more people who participate, the more specifically they understand what makes an effective program. “If we got a high turnout on Nessie we would be able to break the results down … African-American versus Caucasian, male versus female

all those who sacrificed to get us where we are,” Brazile said. “A month later we celebrate all those sheroes, those who dared to make a difference and those who stared down this country to be sure that women had a place in this constitution.” It was evident throughout the evening that Brazile herself would be recognized in both of these months, as she has risen to become one of the top political analysts in the nation and is helping to run the Democratic National Convention. “This speech shows that her dreams are coming to fruition,” attendee Brian Giulieri said about the upcoming presidential nomination. “It’s a victory for what she’s fought for either way.” Brazile related her first introduction to politics at age nine in a segregated South. After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., she devoted her life to

bringing change to the country, helping with the presidential campaign of Jesse Jackson and managing Al Gore’s 2000 presidential bid, before taking her current role as manager of the Democratic Party. “I love being on the DNC because I’m a rabble rouser,” Brazile said. “I love stirring the pot of change.” In addition to change, Brazile also shared her fondness for stirring a pot of Louisiana gumbo. After the speech she compared recipes with an audience member. She didn’t leave quickly, but talked with anyone who wanted to, signing copies of her latest book, “Cooking with Grease,” along the way. People asked the question that was on many people’s minds: Who was she supporting? “Wyoming, Texas, Maryland, all the states — let `em vote,” Brazile said, on allowing the people to choose the democratic candidate. “And we’ll (the superdel-

This year marks the greatest number of donations received by far, totaling 481 during the drive, plus another 50 taken in after the deadline. More than 1,400 coats have been donated in the history of the event, Frontczak said. “I would say that it was really just this year that the students had a very specific goal. They wanted to beat the previous record and hit at least 400 coats,” Frontczak said.

Her class spent the first couple weeks of class this semester dedicating their time to the coat drive. They put together a promotional plan that included posters, personal selling, fliers presented in classes, mass e-mail notices and many other personal tactics to get the word out. “I really enjoyed my experience with the coat drive. I am so proud of my class. We really pulled together and tapped into all the resources pos-

THE STUDY’S 5 AREAS OF FOCUS»

• Level of academic challenge: For example, students are asked how much time they spend preparing for class, how much the work load of a class is and whether the course challenges them to synthesize theory and practice. • Active and collaborative learning: How much do students participate in class discussion, make presentations to the class, work with classmates outside of class and study outside of the classroom? • Student-faculty interaction: Students are asked how much they work with professors on activities outside of coursework, how much feedback they receive and how many research projects they have worked on with professors. • Enriching educational experiences: The survey asks if students have had serious conversations with others who have different beliefs or values, or with students of a different ethnicity. It also questions students about study abroad, student clubs, learning communities, internships and senior experiences. • Supportive campus environment: Students rate how they think the campus is committed to their success and how much it cultivates positive social relationships among different groups of people.

… some schools even have results for English majors versus math majors,” Worster said. “Every student who takes Nessie increases the validity.” The program costs each institution according to size. Metro paid $8,000 this year to take part. Worster acknowledged that many students might not be bothered with another survey. But, he said, the pro-

gram was an effective use of the school’s resources for the benefit it brought. “We have constraints … so how do we find creative solutions within those constraints to improve our education?” he asked. “The bottom line is: If you don’t assess, you don’t know the effectiveness of your teaching.” For more information: www. mscd.edu/~ssac/nsse

Political pundit champions presidential race Super delegate says she plans to let student select nominee choice By zac taylor [email protected] African-American political analyst and Democratic National Convention organizer Donna Brazile grew up in the Jim Crow South. On Feb. 28 at the Tivoli Turnhalle, she declared, in front of the assembled crowd, a victory for equality in the United States, as the Democratic Party prepares to nominate for president either an African-American or a woman. On the final day of Black History Month, just prior to the beginning of Women’s History Month, this African-American woman discussed how far the country has come toward equality. During Black History Month “we celebrate those people who are dead,

“I love stirring the pot of change.” Donna Brazile egates) be the gravy on the potatoes.” Brazile though, probably won’t even choose at all, preferring, as in 2004, to let one of her students cast her vote for the nominee. This allows Brazile to help both candidates, and while fielding questions from some of the audience, she talked equally about both Sens. Barack Obama’s and Hillary Clinton’s unique attributes. When she did take a stand, she agreed that former President Bill Clinton should stay on the sidelines of the Democratic race. “I like Bill, but I think this debate is about Hillary and Obama, not a former president,” Brazile said. The Auraria students, she said, should be involved, as they will be

just steps from the convention this summer at the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver. “They’re right here on the ground floor where the candidates will be chosen,” she said. “This is a chance for young people to make a mark on the future.”

sible,” said Deidra Brooks, a student of the promotional planning class. During the coat drive, she went to her family, friends and local businesses to see if they wanted to donate. Brooks also plans to continue to spread the word about the Denver Rescue Mission, a Christian organization that provides food and shelter to those in need. This coat drive is supported by the Champs Vitamin Water Volunteers

Program, which encourages kids from 6th grade through college to donate their time to the Denver Rescue Mission. The driving force behind this program is Denver Bronco Champ Bailey. He wants to get today’s youth involved in issues of homelessness and poverty, Frontczak said. Frontczak’s plan for next year is to continue the tradition of giving with the 6th Annual Share the Warmth Coat Drive for the Denver Rescue Mission.

Donna Brazile

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.com

5th annual coat drive succeeds and shares the warmth By Kelly herrera [email protected] Metro marketing students exceeded their goal of 400 coats this year in the 5th annual Share the Warmth Coat Drive to benefit The Denver Rescue Mission. Led by Metro marketing professor Nancy Frontczak, students in her promotional strategy course have conducted the coat drive each spring semester for the past five years.