Significantly more students at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford say they have positive experiences with faculty and administrators than their counterparts at many other universities.
That’s according to the results of a national survey released earlier this month.
The National Survey of Student Engagement surveyed second-semester freshmen and seniors at 1,200 four-year colleges and universities, asking questions relating to a students’ total educational experience. The participating schools are not ranked, but receive scores in five areas designed to determine how colleges contribute to learning.
“We chose to participate in the NSSE (pronounced ‘nessie’) survey because of its ability to tell us how well we’re doing in creating a successful learning environment for our students,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, president. “We’re especially impressed with the survey’s focus on such important matters as the amount of time students spend preparing for class, the amount of writing they do and their interaction with faculty and administrators.”
At Pitt-Bradford, 246 students responded to the survey out of 603 solicited. The 41 percent response rate was 5 percent higher than the nationwide average.
The highlight of the results for Pitt-Bradford was the percentage of students rating their relationships with faculty, administrators and offices as positive. Among freshmen, 80 percent positively rated their relationship with faculty, versus 72 percent nationwide and 68 percent at similar institutions. Seventy-three percent positively rated their relationship with administrative personnel and offices, versus 55 percent nationwide and 47 percent at similar institutions.
Among seniors in the survey, 89 percent positively rated their relationships with faculty members, versus 78 percent nationwide and 74 percent at similar institutions. Seventy-two percent of seniors positively rated their relationships with administrative personnel and offices, versus 53 percent nationwide and 45 percent at similar institutions.
“We are thrilled that the survey results confirm our brand promise of a friendly, supportive environment on our campus,” Alexander said. “Both freshmen and seniors responded that they work with their faculty members both inside and outside the classroom, and they also feel Pitt-Bradford is committed to their success.”
The close student-faculty relationship is enhanced by research with faculty, which 25 percent of Pitt-Bradford seniors have experienced, versus 19 percent nationwide and 20 percent at similar institutions.
One-on-one research requires greater collaboration between the students and faculty, said Dr. Helene Lawson, a professor of sociology who even has students in introduction classes doing original research. Teaching through research provides for much more interaction and hands-on learning than a standard lecture approach, she explains. Lawson regularly takes students to conferences to present their work.
One of those students is Sarah Lorya, a sophomore sociology major from Erie.
“I love Pitt-Bradford because of the great relationship I have with my professors,” Lorya said. “I know any time I have a question, I feel really comfortable just going into their office or calling them. They’re always readily available. It makes the learning environment so great.”
At the administrative level, Alexander actively works at keeping good communications between the administration and student body, switching places for a day each year with the president of the Student Government Association and inviting student groups to his home on a regular basis.
Alexander and other upper-level administrators also meet with the SGA officers formally and informally on a regular basis, resulting in some changes on campus.
“The administration is really great with us,” said Brady Colyer, a senior chemistry major from Palmyra and president of the SGA. “Our administration and faculty are really open to us.
“I think it really makes students feel that this is their school – their opinions matter. You can go see any administrator any time, and they will take suggestions and do something with them.”
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