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Avila University 2007 Benchmarks
The NSSE identifies five benchmark dimensions of instructional practices and student engagement vital to learning and personal development. The table below indicates the responses of Avila University students compared to students at other Catholic Colleges and Universities, Carnegie Peer Masters institutions, and all postsecondary schools participating in the 2007 NSSE data collection in the five benchmark areas.

Areas marked with a ‘+’ sign indicate areas where students rated Avila statistically above students in other samples; a ‘-‘ indicate areas Avila responses were statistically below. As noted in the table, Avila University First-Year and Senior students score their Active and Collaborative Learning and Supportive Campus Environment experiences significantly higher than comparison peers. First-Year students also rate Student-Faculty Interaction and Enriching Educational Experiences significantly higher.

National Survey of Student Engagement
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is an annual assessment of academic quality and student involvement. The NSSE project is sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. In 2007, nearly 1,200 colleges and universities and 1,458,000 students participated in NSSE. Avila University first year and senior students took part in the spring 2007 administration.

First-year and senior undergraduate students are asked to rate their engagement with vital aspects of high level learning and development, such as rigorous lessons, collaborative learning, interaction with faculty, and enriching and supportive campus experiences. Student responses are analyzed and aggregate results are reported to colleges, universities, and other organizations to improve educational experiences, inform accountability efforts, and increase student engagement and success.

Avila will use the data to identify areas of strength and areas of improvement to improve student learning.

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		Comparison Groups
2007 BENCHMARKS	Class	AVILA	Catholic C & U	Carnegie Peers	NSSE 2007
Level of Academic Challenge	1st Yr.	49	-
	Senior	58
Active and Collaborative Learning	1st Yr.	48		+	+
	Senior	56		+	+
Student-Faculty Interaction	1st Yr.	44	+	+	+
	Senior	45			+
Enriching Educational Experiences	1st Yr.	30		+
	Senior	36	-		-
Supportive Campus Environment	1st Yr.	67		+	+
	Senior	66		+	+
Note: +/- = p<.05

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Experiences Rated Higher
Students at Avila University rated several experiences at Avila University higher than students in comparison institutions, including community service, respect for diversity, student-faculty interaction, and active learning. Compared to peers, Avila students participated in community service or volunteer work more frequently. Students at Avila had serious conversations with students of another race or ethnicity more often than students at Catholic Universities, Carnegie peers, and NSSE respondents. Avila students received prompt written or oral feedback from faculty and worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework more frequently. Avila students more often made class presentations and worked with other students on projects during class.

The table below shows percentages of Avila students who rated their Avila experiences at a high level compared to students in the comparison institutions.

	Comparison Groups
EXPERIENCES AT AVILA	AVILA	Catholic C & U	Carnegie Peers	NSSE 2007
First Year Students
Talked about career plans with a faculty member or advisor	48%	33%	32%	29%
Discussed ideas from classes with faculty outside of class	36%	23%	21%	19%
Worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework	40%	19%	16%	14%
Had serious conversations with students of another race or ethnicity	60%	48%	45%	50%
Participated in community service or volunteer work	63%	43%	38%	38%
Seniors
Made a class presentation	85%	70%	66%	59%
Worked with other students on projects during class	63%	48%	50%	47%
Discussed ideas from readings or classes with others outside of class	68%	61%	63%	62%
Received prompt written or oral feedback from faculty	83%	70%	66%	62%
Positively rated their relationship with administration, personnel and offices	70%	59%	59%	53%