Student Strengths Inventory Continuing Student Study Spring 2013 Key Findings

Student Strengths Inventory
Continuing Student Study
Spring 2013 Key Findings
Prepared by Sunny Gittens, Director for Campus Life Assessment
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE:
The Student Strengths Inventory (SSI) Continuing Student Study is a pilot survey offered by
CampusLabs to member campuses free of charge. The SSI is an instrument designed to assist
with retention and student success of freshman; this study adopts the assessment for continuing
students. The instrument includes six scales
 Academic engagement
 Academic self-efficacy
 Educational commitment
 Resiliency
 Campus engagement
 Social comfort
RESPONSE RATE:
The survey was distributed to 6,195 sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in Spring 2013
who have been enrolled full-time at UNLV for at least 2 full semesters. There were 1,107
responses which is a 18% response rate. There was an incentive, the first 300 students
completing the survey received a $3 off coupon for on campus dining and all students were
entered to win $100 in RebelCash. The demographics of student respondents are consistent with
the university profile, though there were a higher percentage of female respondents and a lower
percentage of Hispanic students.
STUDENT RESPONDENT DEMOGRAPHICS
Status
Nevada Resident
Transfer
First Generation
Percentage
88%
26%
31%
UNLV Percentage
88%
36%
Enrollment
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Percentage
28%
23%
47%
UNLV Percentage – exclude freshman, non-admit
23%
28%
49%
Sex
Male
Female
Percentage
34.6%
65.5%
UNLV Percentage
44.8%
55.2%
SSI Continuing Student Study Spring 2013 Key Findings
1
Race/Ethnicity
Native
Asian
Pacific Islander
Black
Hispanic
White
Two or more
Unknown
Percentage
0.3%
19.9%
2.4%
7.7%
10.7%
41.9%
15.1%
2.1%
Reside
On campus
Off campus alone, w/ roommates
Off campus w/ parents
Off campus w/ spouse/partner/children
Ever lived on campus
RESULTS
College was everything I hoped it would be.
I am confident I can complete college general
education courses with a B or better.
My relationships with others help me to better
understand myself.
I look for self-improvement opportunities
I am committed to my choice of career.
My social life (DOES NOT) exists mostly off
campus.
I (DO NOT) avoid novel experiences.
Responsibilities at work (DO NOT) sometimes
interfere with my ability to focus on school work.
I (DO NOT) wait until the last minute to complete
course assignments.
I am (NOT) unsure if my interests are consistent
with my intended career.
I am (NOT) worried about how I will pay for
college.
I have interacted with one or more of my
professors outside of class.
There are many ways to be successful.
I am not easily frustrated.
I have a successful strategy for achieving
academic goals.
UNLV Percentage
0.4%
16%
1.9%
7.9%
21.2%
40.3%
6.2%
1.7%
Percentage
6%
25%
60%
9%
20%
UNLV
ALL
66%
3.84
94%
5.10
88%
4.68
94%
5.04
90%
4.97
31%
2.79
70%
4.12
46%
3.52
54%
3.76
71%
4.38
51%
3.90
65%
3.87
97%
5.28
57%
3.78
84%
4.45
UNLV
Soph
67%
3.89
91%
4.90
87%
4.61
96%
5.01
87%
4.85
34%
2.94
68%
4.02
51%
3.72
58%
3.83
66%
4.20
68%
4.08
59%
3.67
96%
5.29
52%
3.59
84%
4.29
UNLV on
campus
69%
3.97
95%
4.94
85%
4.69
92%
4.90
84%
4.71
69%
4.14
65%
3.97
51%
3.79
55%
3.70
71%
4.40
74%
4.29
69%
4.10
95%
5.08
48%
3.45
82%
4.29
PEERS
ALL
71%
4.02
91%
5.09
89%
4.74
94%
5.06
89%
4.94
38%
2.95
74%
4.24
49%
3.62
51%
3.66
71%
4.37
50%
3.82
69%
4.07
97%
5.29
59%
3.77
85%
4.48
PEERS
Soph
73%
4.08
91%
4.98
88%
4.69
95%
5.01
89%
4.92
47%
3.61
76%
4.28
59%
3.99
52%
3.69
70%
4.31
51%
3.84
67%
3.98
97%
5.24
50%
3.64
84%
4.40
SSI Continuing Student Study Spring 2013 Key Findings
2
I (DO NOT) struggle finding meaning in life.
I (DO NOT) often worry about how successful I
will be in the future.
I (DO NOT) prefer stability over change.
(I DO NOT) sometimes worry about my ability to
graduate from college.
Little things (DO NOT) upset me.
I always set aside specific times each week to
study.
I have researched internships or employment
opportunities related to my career choice.
I have joined a club or organization related to my
career path.
My life has purpose.
I belong to one or more campus clubs or
organizations.
Most of my friends attend this college/university.
I have more spare time than most people.
I participate in campus co-curricular activities.
Attending this college/university was the right
choice for me.
When bad things happen to me, I find a way to
survive.
My life (DOES NOT) seems more complicated
than other peoples'.
I am (NOT) an anxious person.
I am (NOT) hesitant to ask questions in class.
I am (NOT) worried that I will not have time to
dedicate to school work.
Attending college will (NOT) require me to spend
less time with family or friends.
I actively participate in class discussion.
I am confident I can maintain a B average in
college.
I look for opportunities to try new things.
I have identified people on campus who can write
me a strong letter of recommendation.
UNLV
ALL
72%
4.41
30%
2.95
33%
3.02
68%
4.39
64%
4.10
63%
3.75
60%
3.77
45%
3.30
94%
5.19
49%
3.42
62%
3.80
30%
2.59
34%
2.85
84%
4.57
98%
5.27
46%
3.37
41%
3.37
51%
3.69
50%
3.66
35%
3.07
76%
4.23
92%
4.99
90%
4.68
66%
4.03
UNLV
Soph
88%
4.15
28%
2.84
30%
2.98
60%
4.10
60%
3.98
65%
3.78
49%
3.35
34%
2.92
92%
5.06
47%
3.33
63%
3.82
39%
2.90
36%
2.86
84%
4.53
98%
5.20
46%
3.41
38%
3.26
44%
3.39
46%
3.55
36%
3.18
68%
3.97
90%
4.86
86%
4.58
51%
3.57
UNLV on
campus
75%
4.36
29%
2.77
30%
2.88
55%
3.98
50%
3.55
57%
3.56
68%
4.00
53%
3.59
92%
5.10
71%
4.36
75%
4.20
39%
2.94
60%
3.60
89%
4.79
95%
5.05
44%
3.26
21%
2.84
45%
3.45
49%
3.64
37%
3.19
67%
4.13
90%
4.92
86%
4.69
69%
4.19
PEERS
ALL
73%
4.41
32%
2.97
31%
2.96
74%
4.62
67%
4.16
58%
3.63
66%
4.04
52%
3.59
95%
5.17
61%
3.90
59%
3.72
26%
2.49
62%
3.16
86%
4.71
98%
5.32
46%
3.38
43%
3.35
54%
3.78
54%
3.71
35%
3.08
76%
4.26
89%
4.99
89%
4.69
68%
4.15
PEERS
Soph
70%
4.25
30%
2.92
29%
2.92
75%
4.54
64%
4.03
58%
3.65
61%
3.84
50%
3.52
93%
5.10
68%
4.20
61%
3.81
31%
2.67
51%
3.44
87%
4.76
98%
5.26
52%
3.39
42%
3.29
50%
3.56
56%
3.76
38%
3.14
71%
4.07
86%
4.94
88%
4.61
62%
3.87
SSI Continuing Student Study Spring 2013 Key Findings
3
I discuss course content with other students
outside of class.
I am (NOT) worried about my ability to succeed
academically.
I (DO NOT) struggle with dedicating time to
studying.
I (DO NOT) find it hard to relax.
My life goals are (NOT) ambiguous.
I (DO NOT) have some doubt about my choice of
career path.
Graduating from college will help me achieve my
career goals.
I feel like I belong on this campus.
I know where to seek help when I struggle with
class concepts.
Other people consider me to be a calm person.
I view academic failures as opportunities to
improve.
Poor performance in class represents an
opportunity to try out new learning strategies.
I have researched one or more possible careers.
I have time in my life right now to dedicate to
school work.
School is a priority for me right now.
My life seems to be on track.
My college experience has (NOT) been
disappointing.
Responsibilities at home (DO NOT) sometimes
interfere with my ability to focus on school work.
I (DO NOT) find many of my classes boring.
My friends or family (DO NOT) disapprove of my
career choice.
I am (NOT) confused about what career choice to
pursue.
My friends or family are supportive of my choice
of college major.
I am well prepared to succeed.
My family or friends are supportive of my
decision to attend college.
UNLV
ALL
84%
4.57
62%
4.03
45%
3.46
51%
3.56
50%
3.53
59%
4.00
96%
5.31
76%
4.19
89%
4.71
85%
4.58
72%
4.11
70%
3.93
87%
4.67
85%
4.54
97%
5.26
88%
4.66
70%
4.25
47%
3.54
54%
3.69
86%
5.11
67%
4.33
94%
5.16
91%
4.78
96%
5.54
UNLV
Soph
78%
4.31
53%
3.76
42%
3.36
50%
3.59
48%
3.54
56%
3.89
96%
5.39
76%
4.20
86%
4.69
86%
4.58
70%
4.06
70%
3.96
87%
4.58
89%
4.62
97%
5.23
82%
4.47
67%
4.23
49%
3.60
50%
3.60
84%
5.03
60%
4.09
94%
5.07
89%
4.65
97%
5.52
UNLV on
campus
77%
4.37
54%
3.88
44%
3.49
44%
3.37
50%
3.38
53%
3.79
96%
5.21
78%
4.25
80%
4.59
80%
4.38
73%
3.95
58%
3.56
78%
4.25
91%
4.60
95%
5.06
84%
4.42
75%
4.34
64%
4.20
48%
3.63
86%
4.95
70%
4.11
89%
4.98
93%
4.76
93%
5.49
PEERS
ALL
85%
4.60
65%
4.15
47%
3.50
50%
3.55
51%
3.61
59%
4.01
96%
5.37
79%
4.36
89%
4.75
84%
4.54
69%
3.98
68%
3.86
88%
4.74
86%
4.58
95%
5.20
88%
4.66
74%
4.40
56%
3.79
57%
3.73
90%
5.19
71%
4.44
96%
5.22
91%
4.82
99%
5.65
PEERS
Soph
84%
4.52
61%
3.97
47%
3.51
51%
3.55
55%
3.55
58%
3.96
97%
5.43
82%
4.50
89%
4.78
82%
4.49
67%
3.94
67%
3.84
87%
4.67
90%
4.74
96%
5.26
87%
4.64
75%
4.46
66%
4.13
57%
3.66
89%
5.16
69%
4.39
94%
5.20
91%
4.83
99%
5.68
SSI Continuing Student Study Spring 2013 Key Findings
4
No matter how smart you are, you can always
learn new things.
I exercise regularly.
I (DO NOT) have to sacrifice other aspects of my
life to succeed in college.
I am (NOT) a very busy person.
I am (NOT) a worrier.
I (DO NOT) feel less motivated to succeed this
year compared to last year.
I (DO NOT) struggle organizing my notes from
class.
I visit with my academic or faculty advisor at least
once a year.
Connecting new material to things I already know
helps me learn.
I often visit professors during office hours.
In general, my classes are interesting.
I have participated in supplemental instruction or
other study sessions associated with my classes.
I have talked with an advisor or counselor about
which major to declare.
I am confident in my ability to write a term paper.
I have formally declared a college major.
I am on track in achieving my career goals.
I am satisfied with my experience at this
college/university.
I (DO NOT) believe that most people can't change
who they are.
I am (NOT) a very emotional person.
If I were offered a good job, I might not finish
college.
Work is (NOT) a priority for me right now.
I am (NOT) considering leaving this
college/university.
I have a good sense of who I am.
I have discussed my career plans with one or
more professors.
UNLV
ALL
98%
5.65
64%
3.90
22%
2.63
14%
2.17
28%
2.85
73%
4.37
76%
4.46
79%
4.56
97%
5.07
36%
2.95
85%
4.47
61%
3.73
58%
3.67
88%
4.73
94%
5.38
91%
4.91
83%
4.52
67%
4.10
42%
3.34
76%
4.56
73%
4.35
87%
5.12
93%
4.95
60%
3.81
UNLV
Soph
99%
5.62
68%
3.99
25%
2.80
16%
2.34
25%
2.74
73%
4.37
75%
4.47
76%
4.41
97%
5.00
28%
2.72
85%
4.30
55%
3.59
62%
3.82
81%
4.38
87%
4.93
87%
4.67
81%
4.45
66%
4.09
38%
3.25
73%
4.35
73%
4.33
81%
4.82
89%
4.77
46%
3.30
UNLV on
campus
96%
5.45
60%
3.82
31%
3.04
24%
2.62
16%
2.44
69%
4.24
76%
4.69
83%
4.69
96%
4.98
29%
2.89
83%
4.39
55%
3.62
52%
3.70
84%
4.42
93%
5.29
87%
4.67
84%
4.51
72%
4.33
30%
3.08
68%
4.26
67%
4.06
76%
4.74
91%
4.93
50%
3.78
PEERS
ALL
99%
5.69
64%
3.90
25%
2.72
13%
2.17
29%
2.85
68%
4.19
78%
4.53
84%
4.78
97%
5.17
39%
3.00
82%
4.40
64%
3.79
64%
3.87
88%
4.73
95%
5.51
93%
4.98
83%
4.57
64%
4.16
44%
3.36
79%
4.61
67%
4.16
89%
5.21
94%
5.01
63%
3.94
PEERS
Soph
99%
5.64
65%
3.97
28%
2.81
17%
2.33
28%
2.82
72%
4.30
77%
4.49
87%
4.92
97%
5.13
35%
2.92
815
4.31
64%
3.86
68%
4.00
84%
4.58
90%
5.17
91%
4.89
84%
4.60
69%
4.11
44%
3.33
77%
4.50
72%
4.32
84%
5.00
91%
4.89
54%
3.61
SSI Continuing Student Study Spring 2013 Key Findings
5
I am confident I can maintain a B average in my
college major.
I have participated in a study group made of my
peers.
I am comfortable with who I am as a person.
I don't manage stress well.
My study strategies aren't working as well as I
would like.
I (DO NOT) find many of my classes irrelevant.
I (DO NOT) need to eat a more healthy diet.
I am (NOT) thinking of changing my college major.
I have a specific place I prefer studying.
I consider myself to be a successful person.
People on this campus care about my success.
I have specific strategies for relieving stress.
I am confident in my ability to choose a college
major.
I am (NOT) worried about my ability to succeed
academically.
I am (NOT) about as smart as I am ever going to
be.
My future is not very bright.
I am confident in my ability to make a good
career choice.
I am hopeful about my future.
I know myself well.
I look for opportunities to socialize on my
campus.
I have a mentor on campus who has helped me
with my academic decisions.
It is important to me to volunteer in my
community.
I hold a leadership position in one or more
student organizations.
UNLV
ALL
92%
5.04
71%
4.14
91%
4.94
63%
3.96
58%
3.82
62%
3.98
26%
2.84
88%
5.17
86%
4.64
88%
4.63
68%
3.89
75%
4.16
92%
5.10
67%
4.23
83%
4.78
93%
5.29
93%
5.02
95%
5.22
94%
5.00
60%
3.79
43%
3.11
78%
4.30
30%
2.64
UNLV
Soph
90%
4.88
66%
3.88
87%
4.75
57%
3.77
55%
3.67
62%
3.93
25%
2.79
78%
4.71
88%
4.69
85%
4.52
63%
3.86
75%
4.19
90%
4.85
58%
3.96
80%
4.66
91%
5.18
93%
4.93
93%
5.15
91%
4.86
62%
3.90
40%
3.03
79%
4.34
25%
2.54
UNLV on
campus
85%
4.78
86%
3.81
85%
4.74
59%
3.85
54%
3.59
54%
3.72
19%
2.70
82%
4.96
83%
4.54
87%
4.52
72%
4.09
77%
4.30
85%
4.83
57%
3.85
80%
4.74
95%
5.17
94%
4.87
91%
5.06
94%
4.94
79%
4.46
46%
3.17
83%
4.37
52%
3.63
PEERS
ALL
91%
5.09
72%
4.23
92%
5.00
655
3.95
60%
3.79
64%
4.02
28%
2.87
91%
5.28
86%
4.63
90%
4.73
71%
4.02
80%
4.20
93%
5.16
68%
4.31
84%
4.80
93%
5.28
94%
5.06
95%
5.24
94%
5.07
65%
3.94
PEERS
Soph
91%
5.01
72%
4.17
90%
4.90
60%
3.88
54%
3.67
62%
3.94
27%
2.86
84%
4.91
85%
4.63
90%
4.71
72%
4.06
755
4.18
91%
5.00
63%
4.13
85%
4.78
93%
5.27
94%
5.03
95%
5.25
93%
4.98
72%
4.22
SSI Continuing Student Study Spring 2013 Key Findings
6
OPEN ENDED RESPONSES
What resources could UNLV provide to support your success at UNLV? – top answers in order of popularity
 More tutoring / tutoring for subjects not currently offer / private tutoring / study sessions
 More and/or better academic advisors
 More and/or better career counseling and fairs / internship opportunities
 Financial support, scholarships, aid
 Better professors
 More classes offered more often / more online courses -- Having a degree plan sheet outlining which courses to
take together and having those course times be complete-able in the same semester
 More people involved / more clubs / more social opportunities besides fraternities and sororities / more
information about what is happening on campus
 Longer hours for the library
 More study rooms
 Mentor program (assist with transition)
 More parking and/or free parking
 More computing labs, better technology
 Better, more understanding staff
 Cheaper books
 Higher academic rigor
 Specific suggestions for Fine Arts, Engineering, Political Science, Math
 Classroom / building improvements
 Better website
What has been your best UNLV experience?
 Involvement – specific club (Greek, religious) or student event (PREMIER), meeting people
 Academic program – specific course or major
 Personal accomplishments – GPA, passing challenging course, graduating
 Sports / athletics – participating and attending
 Living on campus
 Receiving financial aid
What has been your worst UNLV experience?
 Specific courses or specific professors – boring or irrelevant courses
 Parking, traffic
 Mis-academic advising or inability to make an appointment with advisor
 Lack of campus life, lack of school spirit, campus not welcoming, hard to meet people, Greeks not welcoming, bad
experience in a club, Union too crowded
 Failing a course
 Food service, dining commons
 Balance work and classes
 Unfriendly staff (financial aid)
SSI Continuing Student Study Spring 2013 Key Findings
7
What makes UNLV uniquely great?
 Diversity – students, faculty, staff
 Location – in Las Vegas (strip), close to home
 Sports / school spirit (basketball)
 Specific degree programs have good reputation
 Library – large, research orientated
 Affordable tuition
DEMOGRAPHICS
With over 100 items, it is difficult to determine demographic differences for all questions. A few themes did emerge:
 Sophomores were less confident in their academic ability and less sure of their career path than juniors and
seniors. Sophomores were also less likely to participate in classroom discussions and to interact with faculty
outside of the classroom.
 Students living on campus are significantly more involved in the life of the campus through co-curricular activities
and have less concerns about their ability to balance school with work and family commitments. Likewise,
students previously living on campus remained more involved than their commuter peers. Upperclass students
living on campus also demonstrated lower emotional control; students who ever lived on campus expressed higher
levels of anxiety than those never living on campus.
 There were not significant differences based on gender though it is noted males were slightly more confident in
their academic ability and slightly more likely to be involved than females.
 First generation students were slightly more likely to be involved than non-first generation students.
 There was not a significant difference related to transfer status.
 There were not significant differences by ethnicity. Caucasian students were more likely to indicate college was
everything they hoped it would be and less likely to get involved. Students that did not disclose their ethnicity
were the least confident of their ability to succeed academically.
NATIONAL BENCHMARKS
There were 23 institutions participating in the Continuing Student Study in Spring 2013; 9 of those were large, 4-year
institutions.
 UNLV was statistically above our peers on 6 items and below peers on 31 items.
o UNLV tended to rate above our peers related to study habits, time for relaxing, and more motivated this
year than last year.
o UNLV tended to rate below our peers related to overall collegiate experience, engagement in co-curricular
activities, meeting with academic and career counselors, major decidedness, and family support for going
to college.
 UNLV sophomores were below their peers on many of the same items as all continuing students and were below
their peers related to time able to dedicate to academics, studying with peers outside of the classroom, confidence
in career decidedness, and confidence in ability to be successful.
2013 Compare Group:
1. Bowling Green State University
2. Marquette University
3. Missouri State University
4. Northern Arizona University
5. University at Albany
6.
7.
8.
9.
University of Central Florida
University of Memphis
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
SSI Continuing Student Study Spring 2013 Key Findings
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SSI Continuing Student Study Spring 2013 Key Findings
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