st. thomas university alumni survey executive summary undergraduate and graduate alumni in...

St. Thomas University ALUMNI SURVEYExecutive Summary

•Undergraduate and Graduate alumni in university database from 2001 to 1991 were mailed a copy of the Survey Instrument.

• Response rate was relatively low (about 12%).

•Overall, all respondents were quite positive concerning their experience at St. Thomas University. Over 58% of respondents indicated that their education at STU was ‘above average’.

•Cross tab analysis of items reveals a number of statistically significant associations between demographic variables (Grad vs.Undergrad

status; Gender; Ethnicity; and responses to specific survey items.

Items with most favorable response:

• I was satisfied with the quality of instruction at STU

• I found enough flexibility in class schedules to complete my degree in a reasonable amount of time

•I developed the ability to work with others in a variety of settings.

•I was satisfied with the availability of faculty outside the classroom

• I developed the capacity to understand many points of view.

•The Faculty seemed interested in my progress as a student

• I acquired sufficient skills and knowledge to prepare me for employment in my field.

• I developed in my ability to think analytically

• I developed the capacity to demonstrate awareness of local and global diversity

•I would advise a friend to attend STU

ITEMS WITH THE RELATIVELY LOWEST FAVORABLE

RESPONSES:• My degree program effectively prepared me for the work I have done since graduation.

• My participation in student activities has helped me achieve my professional and/or personal goals.

• My employer seems impressed that my degree is from STU.

• My exposure to STU's Catholic character has positively influenced my life and work.

• I was satisfied with the library resources at STU.

• I grew in my awareness of environmental issues.

• The service requirement for graduation at STU has helped to foster in me a sense of duty to others.

GENDER DIFFERENCES

Females were more likely to have a more highly favorable response to the following items:

• I was satisfied with the quality of instruction at STU.

• I found enough flexibility in class schedules to complete my degree in a reasonable amount of time.

• I was satisfied with the availability of faculty outside the classroom.

• I acquired sufficient skills and knowledge to prepare me for employment in my field.

• I felt academically challenged by the rigor of my coursework.

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• I was satisfied with my access to materials from the library needed for class work and research.

• I developed in my ability to think analytically.

• I developed the capacity to demonstrate awareness of local and global diversity

• I grew in my awareness of environmental issues.

• My exposure to STU's Catholic character has positively influenced my life and work.

• The service requirement for graduation at STU has helped to foster in me a sense of duty to others.

Undergraduate vs. Graduate Status

Graduate student status was more closely associated with favorable attitudes toward the following items:

•I found enough flexibility in class schedules to complete my degree in a reasonable amount of time.

•I acquired sufficient skills and knowledge to prepare me for employment in my field.

•My degree program effectively prepared me for the work I have done since graduation.

•The Faculty seemed interested in my progress as a student.

•I was satisfied with the academic advising I received.

Undergraduate were more likely to indicate favorable opinions for the following items:

•I was satisfied with the library resources at STU.

•My exposure to STU's Catholic character has positively influenced my life and work.

•I grew in my awareness of environmental issues.

Ethnicity

Minority students were more likely to have favorable opinions concerning the following items:

•I was satisfied with the quality of instruction at STU

•I was satisfied with my access to materials from the library needed for class work and research.

•My employer seems impressed that my degree is from STU

•I developed the capacity to demonstrate awareness of local and global diversity

•I grew in my awareness of environmental issues.

•The service requirement for graduation at STU has helped to foster in me a sense of duty to others.

•I was satisfied with the library resources at STU

Results of Individual Items

I was satisfied with the quality of instruction at STU.

Question Count Percentage Answered

Agree Strongly 338 64.0%

Agree Somewhat 170 32.2%

Disagree Somewhat 15 2.8%

Disagree Strongly 5 0.9%

I was satisfied with the availability of faculty outside the classroom






I found enough flexibility in class schedules to complete my degree in a reasonable amount of time.






I acquired sufficient skills and knowledge to prepare me for employment in my field.






I felt academically challenged by the rigor of my coursework.






I was satisfied with my access to materials from the library needed for class work and research.






I would advise a friend to attend STU.






My employer seems impressed that my degree is from STU






My degree program effectively prepared me for the work I have done since graduation.






The Faculty seemed interested in my progress as a student.






I developed in my ability to think analytically.






I developed in my ability to write effectively






I developed the capacity to understand many points of view.






I developed the ability to work with others in a variety of settings.






I developed the capacity to demonstrate awareness of local and global diversity






I grew in my awareness of environmental issues.






My exposure to STU's Catholic character has positively influenced my life and work.






My exposure to the cultural diversity of STU while a student has increased my effectiveness in my career.






The service requirement for graduation at STU has helped to foster in me a sense of duty to others.






I developed an appreciation of other cultures.






I was satisfied with the academic advising I received.






My participation in student activities has helped me achieve my professional and/or personal goals.






I was satisfied with the library resources at STU.






What level of study did you pursue at STU?

Choice Count Percent

Undergraduate 203 38.9%

Graduate 267 51.1%

Both undergraduate and graduate.

52 10.0%

How long did it take you to obtain your first full-time job after graduation?


Had same job before completing current degree

207 41.7%

Less than 1 month 80 16.1%

1-3 months 11 2.2%

4-6 months 77 15.5%

7-9 months 15 3.0%

10-12 months 13 2.6%

Over 1 year 47 9.5%

Have not yet obtained a job with this degree

46 9.3%

Are you currently working in your major/graduate program field of preparation?


Yes 302 59.3%

No 207 40.7%

Have you pursued further graduate study since graduating from STU?


Yes 170 33.7%

No 334 66.3%

What is your current or most recent annual salary?


Less than $20,000 31 6.3%

Between $20,000 and $29,999 48 9.7%

Between $30,000 and $39,999 136 27.5%

Between $40,000 and $49,999 87 17.6%

Between $50,000 and $59,999 63 12.7%

Between $60,000 and $79,999 45 9.1%

Between $70,000 and $89,999 30 6.1%

Between $80,000 and $99,999 27 5.5%

$100,000 or more 28 5.7%

What is your gender?


Male 174 34.2%

Female 335 65.8%

What is your racial/ethnic group?


Asian American 3 0.6%

Black/African American 103 20.4%

Hispanic/Latino 179 35.4%

American Indian/Alaskan Native 2 0.4%

White - Non-Hispanic 213 42.2%

Non-resident/International 5 1.0%

Were you employed while attending STU?


Yes, full-time employment 326 63.8%

Yes, part-time employment 121 23.7%

No, not employed 64 12.5%

Please rate the overall quality of your STU education.


Above average 301 58.4%

Average 191 37.1%

Below Average 22 4.3%

Not sure 1 0.2%

I took the majority of my classes while enrolled at STU at:


the main campus 392 78.1%

a site other than the main campus 110 21.9%

st. thomas university alumni survey executive summary undergraduate and graduate alumni in...

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