Mission & Identity Faculty and Staff Perception of Institutional A cooperative research grant project Kim Pavlick, Ph.D. ● The University of Scranton Ellen Boylan, Ph.D. ● Marywood University North East Association for Institutional Research (NEAIR) ● Boston ● MA ● December 3-6 ● 2011

Funding awards in 2011 make possible joint research by faculty at nearby institutions to encourage intellectual exchange and generate results with mutual benefit. 2 A cooperative research grant project

3  leaders of public and private institutions alike are thinking about spirituality these days, as the data suggest that's what their students are thinking about, too (Inside Higher Ed, 2009).  There is strong connection between institutional programs and student learning environment (Pascarella, 2001).  …the best way to assess identity is via mission statements (Estanek, James & Norton 2006). background

Rationale for the study  Abelman & Dalessandro (2009) content analysis of mission statements reveals similar themes; “visionary” terminology (Catholics)  Borne et al (2000) institutions that clearly articulate their missions are more effective at strategic planning  Porter & Ramirez (2009) maintaining religious identity is good for institutions 4

5 purpose  To assess faculty and staff perception of mission and Catholic identity at the cooperating institutions and identify ways these perceptions are fostered and strengthened on campus.

The University of Scranton 6 … a Catholic and Jesuit university animated by the spiritual vision and the tradition of excellence characteristic of the Society of Jesus and those who share its way of proceeding. The University is a community dedicated to the freedom of inquiry and personal development fundamental to the growth in wisdom and integrity of all who share its life.

7 Marywood University  There are key constructs in mission statements.  How are they perceived by various audiences? leaders in service professional disciplines …T he University roots itself in the principle of justice and a belief that education empowers people…offers students a welcoming and supportive community that encourages men and women of all backgrounds to shape their lives as leaders in service to others. Proud of its liberal arts tradition and host of professional disciplines,… challenging students to broaden their understanding of global issues and to make decisions based on spiritual, ethical, and religious values…

MarywoodMarywood 8  Carnegie Classification - Master’s 1  Suburban setting  Enrollment UG 4,100 Grad 1,970 (includes online)  Colleges and Schools 4  Degrees offered Bachelor’s 61 Master’s 25 PhD Physical Therapy  Carnegie Classification - Master’s 1  Suburban setting  Enrollment UG 2,255 Grad 1,143  Colleges and Schools 5  Degrees offered Bachelor’s 61 Master’s 36 PhD Human Development, Clinical Psychology ScrantonScranton Institutional Characteristics

9  …institutions influence levels of engagement on campus as a result of structural features, programs, policies, and organizational culture (Kuh et al., 2005).  two-step flow of communication (Lazarsfeld, Berelson, & Gaudet,1944). theoretical framework

10 DMV and staff previous research  DePaul University staff  N = 500  Assess perception of the institution’s mission, Catholic values, and mission-driven activities  Results most perceive the mission is conveyed throughout the institution affects all functional areas: administration, academics, policies, and student services (Ferrari & Velcoff 2006)

 DePaul University Board of Trustees  N = 39  Assess perception of the institution’s mission.  Results Most value the mission and values of the institution Decision-making processes are informed by institution’s mission and values (Ferrari, Bottom & Gutierrez, 2010) 11 Previous research: DMV and Trustees

Previous research: Students reflect mission  faith-based institutions that transmit their values via their mission statements produce students who can achieve ethical and moral development that reflects the constructs of the school’s mission. (Ferrari, et.al, 2008) 12

 Institutional comparisons Two institutions simultaneously Each with different founding sponsors  Instrument use To different regions of the country (from mostly Midwest) With different populations (using faculty & staff groups) 13 Enlarging the scope of DMV research…

 Select two “like” institutions for the study populations mission statements  Target employee samples Faculty Staff  Distribute invitation via employee  Employ the DePaul Mission and Values Inventory (DMV) Queries respondents on their perceptions of common constructs found in institutional mission statements. Likert response scale 1-7 Subset of 16 out of 39 DMV items used here.  Administer online using Survey Monkey  Analyze results using SPSS 14 methodology

Survey instrument 15

16 Added demographic items

17 results

18 *p =.000 Community Mean by Institution* Community Questions

Community Q1  I believe that at (institution) our very diverse personal values and religious beliefs contribute to an atmosphere that fosters mutual understanding and respect. 19

Mission Perception Questions 20 Mission Perception Mean by Institution* *p =.000

Identity Perception Questions 21 Mission Perception Mean by Institution* *p <.01

Programs Questions 22 FacultyStaffAll Marywood University The University of Scranton Marywood University The University of Scranton Marywood University The University of Scranton Q14 Campus Ministry provides a variety of services and programs designed to serve the University community and enhance the institution's Catholic identity Q15 The University sponsors a variety of services and programs to demonstrate the connectedness to the global community Programs Mean by Institution* *p =.000

Significant differences in item means by faculty/staff 23 *p<.05 **p<.01 ***p<.001

24 Significant differences in item means by faculty/staff by institution *p<.05 **p<.01 ***p<.001

25  perceptions of mission and identity differ by institution despite shared religious denomination  perceptions of institutional mission and identity differ by faculty and staff groups overall  faculty and staff perceptions of institutional mission and identity differ by group within institutions. conclusions

Future research 26

Amis, J., Slack, T., Hinings, C.R. (2002). Values and organizational change. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science,38, Doi: / Bourne, B., Gates, L., Cofer, J. (2000). Setting strategic directions using critical success factors. Planning for Higher Education, 28, Detomasi, D. (1995). Mission statements: One more time. Planning for Higher Education, 24, Dwyer, J. & Zech, C. (1998). American Catholic higher education: An ACCU study on mission and identity, faculty development, and curricular revision. Current Issues in Higher Education, 19 (1), Estanek, S. James, M. & Norton, D. (2006). Assessing Catholic Identity: A study of mission statements of Catholic colleges and universities. Catholic Education: A Journal of Inquiry and Practice, 10 (2), Feldner, S. N (2006). Living our mission: A study of university mission building. Communication Studies, 57 (1), doi: Ferrari, J., Cowman, S., Milner, L., Gutierrez, R., & Drake, P. (2008). Impact of school sense of community within a faith-based university: Administrative and academic staff perceptions on institutional mission and values. Social Psychology of Education,12, doi: /s Ferrari, J. & Guitierrez, R. E. (2010). Passing the torch: Maintaining faith-based traditions during transition of leadership. Education, 131, Ferrari, J. & Velcoff, J. (2006). Measuring staff perceptions of university identity and activities: The mission and values inventory. Christian Higher Education. Retrieved 27 ReferencesReferences

Gallin, A. (2001). Negotiating identity: Catholic higher education since Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press. Hellwig, M.K. (2004). Evaluating the mission and identity of a Catholic college or university. In Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, and Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Mission and identity: A handbook for trustees of Catholic colleges and universities (pp ). Washington, DC: Author. Inside Higher Education (2009). Spiritual accountability. Retrieved from Katz, E. & Lazarsfeld, P. (1955). Personal Influence. New York: The Free Press. Morphew, C. & Hartley, M. (2006). Mission statements: A thematic analysis of rhetoric across institutional type. The Journal of Higher Education, 77 (3), doi: /jhe doi: /jhe Peck, K. & Stick, S. (2008). Catholic and Jesuit identity in higher education. Christian Higher education, 7 (3), doi: / doi: / Porter, S. & Ramirez, T. (2009). Survival of the wealthiest. Inside Higher Education. Retrieved from Stripling, J. (November 17, 2010). The Catholicity Test. Retrieved from Inside Higher Education. Ziegler, J. (2009, February 27). Economic crisis, Catholic identity are top concerns of college presidents. The National Catholic Register. Retrieved from 28

29 discussion

Ellen Boylan, Ph.D. Marywood University Office of Planning and Institutional Research Presentation: activities.htmlhttp:// activities.html 30 Contact us Kim Pavlick, Ph.D., Professor The University of Scranton Department of Communication Pavlickk2scranton.edu

Mission & Identity Faculty and Staff Perception of Institutional A cooperative research grant project Kim Pavlick, Ph.D. ● The University of Scranton Ellen Boylan, Ph.D. ● Marywood University North East Association for Institutional Research (NEAIR) ● Boston ● MA ● December 3-6 ● 2011