National Survey of Student Engagement provides snapshot of first-year student experience

The 2019 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) reports that Texas State University students enjoy higher levels of positive interaction with faculty, discussions with diverse classmates and a more supportive environment than an average of their peers at other Emerging Research Universities (ERUs) in the state.  

The NSSE measures undergraduate student participation in programs and activities that promote learning and personal development at their respective universities. NSSE collects data from first-year and senior students via email every spring and uses the results to measure levels of institutional effectiveness.

"These results are a testament to the efforts of our faculty and staff in producing a high-quality learning environment for Texas State students," said Gene Bourgeois, provost and vice president for academic affairs. 

ERUs included in Texas State's comparative class are University of Texas-Dallas, University of Texas-San Antonio, Texas Tech University, University of Houston, University of Texas-Arlington and University of Texas-El Paso. 

            Among the findings:

• Eighty-seven percent of first-year and senior students positively rated their educational experience at Texas State, compared to an average of 83 percent of their Texas ERU peers.
• Eighty-five percent of first-year students responded that they would attend Texas State again if they had the chance to start over, compared to 83 percent of their Texas ERU peers. For senior students, the percentages were 84 and 82, respectively.  
• Sixty-four percent of Texas State first-year students reported their university experience helped them become an informed, active citizen, compared to an average of 57 percent of their Texas ERU peers. Seniors rated this category 60 percent compared to 56 percent for their ERU peers.
• Sixty-eight percent of first-year students reported their experiences at Texas State helped them understand people from other backgrounds, compared with 65 percent from ERU peers. 
• Seventy-eight percent of first-year students reported that Texas State helped them develop critical thinking skills, compared with 75 percent of ERU peers.
• Sixty-seven percent of first-year students reported that Texas State helped them work effectively with others, compared with 65 percent of ERU peers.
• Seventy-five percent of Texas State seniors reported they combined ideas and concepts across courses to complete assignments, compared to an average of 65 percent of seniors at other Texas ERUs.  

More information on the 2019 NSSE findings can be found at www.ir.txstate.edu/survey-services/admin-survey-results/NSSE0.html.