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Institutional Effectiveness, Research and Planning  

National Survey of Student Engagement

NSSE logoAbout the 2010 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is an annual survey of first-year and senior students that helps colleges and universities assess effective student learning on their campuses. The 2010 NSSE surveyed 393,630 students at 595 four-year colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. At UNC Asheville, 308 freshman and 399 seniors participated. The overall response rate for the 2010 NSSE was 32%.  UNC Asheville's NSSE 2010 response rate was 53%.

What does the NSSE measure?

The NSSE is a questionnaire in which students report on academic and co-curricular activities.  For example, students are asked about how often they participated in class, wrote and rewrote papers, and attended campus events. Items used on the survey represent empirically confirmed "good practices" in undergraduate education.  

Why does UNC Asheville participate?

UNC Asheville is committed to providing an excellent public liberal arts experience for all our students.  NSSE results are one type of data we use to evaluate our progress toward this goal.  At present, NSSE results are part of the process for assessment of the Integrated Liberal Studies program, our award-winning approach to general education.  NSSE data are also an integral part of UNC Asheville’s strategic planning process, a campus-wide enterprise in which we seek to clearly articulate our curricular and co-curricular goals.

Where does UNC Asheville excel?

In the global world of today, students must learn to think critically, to become engaged in their communities and societies, and to view events from a multidisciplinary perspective. They must learn to be self-reflective, and be motivated to become life-long learners. 

According to NSSE, UNC Asheville seniors compare favorably to their Carnegie peers in:

  • asking questions in class or contributing to class discussions
  • preparing two or more drafts of a paper or assignment 
  • including diverse perspectives (different races, religions, genders, political beliefs, etc.) in class discussions or writing assignments
  • putting together ideas or concepts from different courses when completing assignments or during class discussions
  • discussing grades or assignments with an instructor
  • discussing ideas from readings or classes with others outside of class (students, family members, co-workers, etc.)
  • attending an art exhibit, play, dance, music, theater or other performance
  • examining the strengths and weaknesses of their own views on a topic or issue
  • trying to better understand someone else's views by imagining how a issue looks from his or her perspective
  • learning something that changed the way they understand an issue or concept
  • working on a research project with a faculty member outside of courses or program requirements
  • completing foreign language coursework
  • voting in local, state or national elections

UNC Asheville freshmen compare favorably to their Carnegie peers in:

  • receiving prompt written or oral feedback from faculty on their academic performance
  • attending an art exhibit, play, dance, music, theater or other performance

Results with Comparisons to Previous Administrations

Last edited by elkin@unca.edu on August 18, 2011