Student survey gives high marks to Northwest

It will likely come as no surprise to the thousands of famously loyal members of Bearcat Nation, but a recent survey indicates that an overwhelming number of students at Northwest Missouri State University like it there.

According to selected survey results released last week by the university, 90 percent of first-year students at Northwest rate their experience as "good" or "excellent," and 87 percent of seniors said they would choose the school again if they were starting their college careers over.

Those statistics were among findings contained in the 2012 National Survey of Student Engagement, which about 1,400 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada have used to gauge student participation and satisfaction since the research tool was introduced in 2000.

Overall, NSSE findings showed that 88 percent of first-year students surveyed nationwide rated their college experience as "good" or "excellent," and 82 percent of seniors said they would select the same institution again.

A total of 817 Northwest students responded to the survey last year with results showing that Northwest exceeds national norms several areas:

·89 percent of Northwest seniors stated that they discuss career plans with faculty, compared to 82 percent nationally.

·84 percent of first-year students believe Northwest places substantial emphasis on academics, compared to 83 percent nationally.

·84 percent of first-year students said Northwest provides substantial support for their academic success, compared to 79 percent nationally.

·81 percent of first-year students report that their peers are friendly, supportive and give them a sense of belonging, compared to 79 percent nationally.

·63 percent of students, by the time they are seniors, participate in community service or volunteer work, compared to 59 percent nationally.

Northwest President John Jasinski said the survey results offer a snapshot depicting the university's often-stated emphasis on student success.

"Research shows engagement leads to enhanced chances for success, and our faculty and staff embrace that, along with our mission of focusing on student success – every student every day," Jasinski said.