Profile of a Learner: A Look at Today’s UWSP Students Shari Ann Summers Ed.D. Institutional Planner Division of Student Affairs September, 2012

Today’s Presentation Who are our UWSP Freshman? Why are students coming to UWSP? How prepared are student for college? Other interesting insights. How does this information affect what you do?

Information Sources College Student Characteristics Inventory (CSCI) National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Freshman intake survey designed to understand academic preparation and needs of students Administered annually during orientation 97% (1597)of orientation attendees completed the survey Summer 2012 Survey administered to Freshman and Seniors to assess engagement in activities that support learning Administered every three years 49% of UWSP Freshman completed survey Spring 2011

Our freshman were born in… 1994… Nancy Kerrigan is clubbed on the right leg by Tonya Harding's ex-husband. The Rwandan Genocide begins in Kigali, Rwanda. Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, is found dead at his Lake Washington home. June 26 – Microsoft announces it will no longer sell or support the MS-DOS operating system. The NFL announces that the Jacksonville Jaguars will become the league's 30th franchise.

Background Characteristics 17% were in the Top 10% of their high school class 51% were in the Top 25% Average HS Rank = 78% Average ACT Score = 23.3 96% of freshman expect A or B average in college. These incoming characteristics have actually remained steady or increased slightly over the last 10 years, however our Heri survey report that Faculty feel that the academic preparation of our students has declined.

Background Characteristics Nearly 11% are from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds 53% are female and 47% are male 97% are traditional aged students 99% are full time students 21% are undecided on their major

Background Characteristics 90% are Wisconsin residents 23% had graduating HS classes of <100 Nearly half are first-generation college students (47%) 37% are from small towns (<2,500) or farms

First-Generation Freshman at UWSP

Why are they coming to UWSP? 81% intend to complete BA/BS Why are they coming to UWSP?

New Students Reasons to Attend College

New Students at UWSP For the majors/minors offered Why do our UWSP freshman come here? What is of greatest importance to our UWSP Freshman? For the majors/minors offered Its academic program is better than other schools Size of the school Friendly faculty and staff Completing a college Degree Really learn something Making good grade Exploring Career Option

Choice of Major

How prepared are our students? Academic Habits How prepared are our students?

Study Habits from CSCI

NSSE reported time preparing for class/studying…

Experience with Academic Tasks Students report “extensive experience” or “often”: CSCI Incoming Freshman NSSE 2nd Sem. Freshman Working with a group on a joint project for a grade 53% 11% Writing an essay exam 41% na Participating in class discussion 43% 17% Giving a presentation for class 46% 10%

Experience with Academic Tasks Students report “some experience” CSCI Students report “some” experience: Reading a textbook to prepare for class 42% NSSE ( % of students reporting >10 books) Being assigned > 10 textbooks, books or book length packs of course readings 23% Reading >10 books on your own… 15%

Experience with Academic Task Students report “little to no” experience: CSCI Students report “little to no” experience: Writing a research paper with citations 19% NSSE ( % of students report writing papers…) Wrote at least one paper or report of 20 pages or more 9% Wrote more than 4 papers or reports between 5 and 19 pages 17% Wrote more than 4 papers or reports fewer than 5 pages 25% Worked on paper required integrating ideas or information from various sources (often or very often) 82%

Experience with Academic Task Students report “little to no” experience: CSCI NSSE Taking notes from a textbook on your own 27% NA Taking notes during a lecture 15%

Time Demands on UWSP Freshman

CSCI Incoming freshman…

NSSE Reported Work Habits

Technology Habits of New Students

On-line Learning Environments % of CSCI New Freshman Utilizing online environments for academic work 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Some or Extensive Experience 73 71 69 Little Experience 22 24 23 26 25 No Experience 5 6

Additional UWSP Student Factoids… Who is paying tuition? Is UWSP is a Suitcase College? 49% of UWSP Freshman and 65% of Seniors report they are most responsible for paying their college tuition and expenses Only 15% of Freshman report stay on campus only 0-1 weekend a month. 69% of Seniors report staying on campus 4-5 weekends per month.

Good news from NSSE… as compared to our UW comprehensives High number of UWSP students report participating or are planning to participate in Study Abroad Programs. High number of UWSP students report working on a research project with faculty. High number of UWSP students report that they participated in internship, practicum, field experience, or clinical practicum.

Beloit Mindset List Items for the class of 2016 Gene therapy has always been an available. The Twilight Zone involves vampires, not Rod Serling. History has always had its own channel. http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2016/

Thank you. Shari Ann Summers Ed.D. Institutional Planner Division of Student Affairs September, 2012