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

2. 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?

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. First-Generation Freshman at UWSP

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

10. New Students Reasons to Attend College

11. 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

12. Choice of Major

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

14. Study Habits from CSCI

15. NSSE reported time preparing for class/studying…

16. 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%

17. 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%

18. 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%

19. 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%

20. Time Demands on UWSP Freshman

21. CSCI Incoming freshman…

22. NSSE Reported Work Habits

23. Technology Habits of New Students

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

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