Using the institution as the unit of analysis, this chapter examines persistence rates for hundreds of institutions that have administered National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). A model predicting persistence with institutional and aggregated student characteristics was used to determine two groups of institutions: those that are doing…

In this paper, the author summarizes the role and contributions of the scholarship and institutional research about student engagement and its relevance for student development professionals and others committed to enhancing the quality of the undergraduate experience. The presentation is organized into four major sections. First, the author…

Based on data from eleven thousand faculty members, this study shows that general education courses place greater emphasis on developing intellectual skills, personal and social responsibility, deep approaches to learning, and diverse interactions. In contrast, other courses emphasize practical skills and are linked with greater levels of…

Analyzes responses to the College Student Experiences Questionnaire from 51,155 undergraduates at 128 institutions to develop a student typology based upon their patterns of engagement in educationally purposeful activities and the progress they reported making toward important outcomes of college. The typology reported yields new insights into…

That faculty matter to student learning is a widely accepted article of faith with substantial empirical support. Indeed, based on their review of several thousand studies of college student development, Pascarella and Terenzini (1991, 611) concluded that "there can be little doubt about the need for faculty members? acceptance of their roles and…

Evaluated the effectiveness of a faculty-student interaction project in a residence center, using data collected from students (N=170), faculty (N=8), and residence staff (N=21) in the fall and spring. Results showed the project did not have an appreciably positive influence on students, but did generate considerable positive public relations.…

This digest reviews the literature on ways that institutions of higher education can enhance student learning outside the classroom. It considers research on the contributions of out-of-class experiences to valued outcomes of postsecondary education and identifies nine institutional conditions which appear to foster student learning outside the…

The relationship between selected aspects of personal development and a study abroad experience was investigated. The longitudinal data were collected before studying abroad, after returning from abroad, and 1 year later. The Omnibus Personality Inventory (Form F) was administered to a group of students preparing to study abroad during 1980-1981…

Examined whether graduate students (N=40) experienced developmental transitions similar to those suggested in adult development theories by using a structured interview protocol to collect data on developmental tasks. Findings indicated that the developmental transitions reflected in a composite developmental framework were applicable to graduate…

This study compared the levels of student engagement between fraternity and sorority members and other undergraduate students. After controls, Greek members appeared to be equally and sometimes more engaged in academically challenging tasks, active learning, student-faculty interaction, community service, diversity, satisfaction, and on learning…

Examines the effects of interactional diversity experiences on a range of desirable outcomes for White students and students of color in different types of higher education institutions. Though White students had less contact with students from different backgrounds, such experiences positively affected the self-reported gains for both Whites and…

Examines the relationships between student characteristics, student use of computers and other information technologies (C&IT), the amount of effort devoted to college activities, and self-reported gains in a range of college outcomes. Results reveal that students appear to benefit more from C&IT when used frequently and in a variety of…

This monograph uses illustrations from the student affairs field and other disciplines to describe for student affairs staff some of the profound changes underway in the field. It focuses on four core elements in the field of student personnel services: (1) delivery of services to students; (2) student development programming; (3) administration,…

If theory-based student development programming is to become a reality, a thorough understanding of what is presently known about student development must be given priority in pre- and in-service training. (Author)

Although institutional characteristics are assumed to influence student learning and intellectual development, this link has not been empirically confirmed. This study examined whether institutional mission, represented by Carnegie classification, is related to student learning and development. Participants were a stratified random sample of 1,500…