Westminster Scores in Top 10%: National Data Shows Higher-Level Learning, Engagement, Satisfaction

Above, Blake Stonecipher ’16 thanks Professor Elise Bartley during the 2015 Alpha Chi ceremony. Each year, Alpha Chi honor society members honor the Westminster faculty mentors who have impacted their lives.

New national assessment data reveals high, effective engagement for Westminster College students in activities tied to student learning and success, in comparison to students at other higher education institutions. 

Westminster freshmen scored in the top 10 percent of 1,039 colleges and universities surveyed by the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) on engagement indicators such as student/faculty interaction, supportive environment, and diverse discussions with others. Westminster seniors scored in to the top 10% of colleges and universities tested for those three same indicators, plus higher-order learning, reflective and integrative learning, and collaborative learning.

“Our 2014 results certainly continue to demonstrate that Westminster is preparing students for success in their careers, delivering a supportive learning environment and above-average teaching experiences,” says Westminster President Dr. Benjamin Ola Akande.  “These results show that our students engage in high-level learning at levels beyond what is commonly found at other higher education institutions – and this engagement pays off when you look at our 96% success rate for our most recent grads in seeking employment or graduate school.”

Every spring Westminster freshmen and seniors complete the NSSE survey, one of the most respected assessments of student-faculty interaction, discussions with diverse others, quality of interactions, effective teaching practices and supportive environments.  NSSE is used nationally to benchmark four themes of campus life: academic challenge, learning with peers, experiences with faculty and campus environment.

Westminster is compared in three groups:  the 18 comparable institutions who participate in NSSE, the 148 colleges and universities who are considered similar to Westminster according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and the 1,039 different national colleges and universities who uses NSSE assessments.

“We use this assessment information every year to help us determine our areas of strength and where we need to improve,” says Associate Dean of Faculty Dr. David Jones.  “Student participation and feedback is crucial to helping us to improve so I hope all students will participate in Assessment and Aspiration Day this spring.”