1. GGC and Student Engagement
NSSE 2011

2. Response Rates NSSE GGC Overall: 27% (down 5%)
First Year: 25% (down 5%)
Seniors: 28% (down 5%)
GGC
Overall: 35% (up 7%)
First Year: 33% (900) (up 5%)
Seniors: 49% (198) (up 11%)

3. Population and Sample Characteristics
GGC Population (Fall 10)
GGC Sample (Spring 11)
NSSE Sample (Spring 11) FY SR
Full Time
73%
82%
65%
95%
84%
Female
54%
63%
66%
Traditional (18-23)
67%
22%
92%

4. Level of Academic Challenge
“Colleges and universities promote high levels of student achievement by emphasizing the importance of academic effort and setting high expectations for student performance.”
Benchmark is computed from items assessing hours spent in academic work, quantity of reading and writing, coursework and campus emphasis

5. 2011 Results GGC Georgia System Carnegie Class NSSE 2011
GGC
Georgia System
Carnegie Class
NSSE 2011
NSSE 2011 Top 50%
NSSE 2011 Top 10%
Class
Mean a
Mean
Sig
Effect Size
Sigb
Effect size
First-Year
52.1
52.7
-.05
53.3 *
-.09
53.7
***
-.12
56.7
-.36
60.6
-.69
Senior
57.0
-.03
58.0
-.07
57.4
-.02
60.5
-.25
64.1
-.54
GGC position relative to Carnegie Class is improved – still sig. lower for FY, not lower this year for SR, smaller effect sizes. FY mean is lower for CC than last year; SR mean is higher for GGC.
GGC position relative to NSSE full sample is lower for FY – now sig and slightly larger effect size. For SR, GGC position is slightly

6. Level of Academic Challenge
Top 50% and 10%
First-Year
Senior
Level of Academic Challenge
(LAC)
For FY – GGC mean falls above 25%tile of top 50%, below 25%tile of top 10%
For SR – GGC mean falls above 25%tile of both top 50% and top 10%

7. Four Year Trends GGC Carnegie Class NSSE 2011 Class Mean a Sig b
Effect Size c
First-Year
52.1
52.7
-.09
53.7
***
-.12
Senior
57.0
56.7
-.07
57.4
-.02
NSSE 2010
52.8
55.8
-.22
54.1
-.10
59.4 **
-.26
57.6
Carnegie Basic
NSSE 2009
55.3
.03
58.8
59.6
-.06
.12
NSSE 2008
53.9
.08
52.9
58.5
.11
56.5
.14

8. First Year Students

9. Seniors

10. Level of Academic Challenge
Specific Items
2011
2010
2009
2008
Level of Academic Challenge
GGC
NSSE
To what degree is studying and spending time on academic work emphasized?
% of FY students feel that this institution places substantial emphasis on academics 83 84 82 80 81
Do faculty hold students to high standards?
% of FY students frequently work harder than they thought they could to meet faculty expectations. 64 60 61 59 57 71 55
How much time do students spend on homework each week?
% of FY students spend more than 15 hours per week preparing for class.
% spend 5 hours or less. 28 23 41 14 33 38 30 20 16 17
What types of thinking do assignments require?
First-year students report substantial emphasis on the following activities:
Memorizing facts, ideas, or methods:
Analyzing basic elements of an idea or theory:
Synthesizing and organizing ideas:
Making judgments about value of information:
Applying theories or concepts: 74 79 70 75 76 73 77 69 65 68 67
How much writing is expected?
% of FY students write more than 10 papers between 5 and 19 pages and
% have written a paper more than 20 pages in length 5 24 6 7 8 21 9 25 18
How much reading is expected during the school year?
% of FY students read more than 10 assigned books and packs of course readings.
% read fewer than 5 37 29 22 27 34 35
Do exams require students to do their best work?
% of FY students report that their exams strongly challenge them to do their best work. 45 53 54 48 52 49 51

11. Top 50% and 10% --- Four Year
First Year Students
Seniors

12. Active and Collaborative Learning
“Students learn more when they are intensely involved in their education and asked to think about what they are learning in different settings. Collaborating with others in solving problems or mastering difficult material prepares students for the messy, unscripted problems they will encounter daily during and after college.”
Benchmark is computed from items assessing frequency of engagement in activities focused on academic material that require interaction with classmates and others both in and out of class.

13. 2011 Results GGC Georgia System Carnegie Class NSSE 2011
GGC
Georgia System
Carnegie Class
NSSE 2011
NSSE 2011 Top 50%
NSSE 2011 Top 10%
Class
Mean a
Sig b
Effect Size c
Effect size c
First-Year
47.8
43.2
***
.27
45.2
.15
43.1
.28
48.0
-.01
52.1
-.24
Senior
56.5
52.2
.24
53.7 *
.16
51.3
.30
56.2
.02
60.1 **
-.20

14. Active and Collaborative Learning
Top 50% and 10%
Active and Collaborative Learning
(ACL)
GGC mean falls WELL above 25%tile for top 50% and top 10% for both FY and SR

15. Four Year Trends GGC Carnegie Class NSSE 2011 Class Mean a Sig b
GGC
Carnegie Class
NSSE 2011
Class
Mean a
Sig b
Effect Size c
First-Year
47.8
45.2
***
.15
43.1
.28
Senior
56.5
53.7 *
.16
51.3
.30
NSSE 2010
48.1
46.0
.13
43.7
.26
57.9
53.6 **
.25
51.4
.37
Carnegie Basic
NSSE 2009
45.5
.36
43.2
.49
60.8
53.9
.40
51.0
.56
NSSE 2008
51.7
.46
42.5
.55
56.9
53.3
.20
50.8
.35

16. First Year Students

17. Seniors

18. Active and Collaborative Learning
Specific Items
2010
2009
2008
Active and Collaborative Learning
GGC
NSSE
How often are topics from class discussed outside of the classroom?
% of FY students frequently discuss readings or ideas from coursework outside of class. 58 59 61 60 66 67 56
Do students work together on projects – inside and outside of class?
% of FY students frequently work with other students on projects in class,
% work with peers on assignments outside of class. 51 44 45 54 46 50 43 32
How often do students make class presentations?
% of FY students report that they make frequent presentations in class. 33 35 63 34
How many students participate in community-based projects in regular courses?
% of FY students frequently participate in service-learning or community-based projects during a given year.
% never took part in such activities. 15 64 14 21 42 13 30 18
How many students apply their classroom learning to real life through internships or off-campus field experiences?
By their senior year, % of students have participated in some form of practicum, internship, field experience, co-op, or clinical assignment. 31 23 39 52 53
Do students have opportunities to tutor or teach other students?
% of seniors frequently assist their fellow students by tutoring or teaching them. 20 22

19. Top 50% and 10% --- Four Year
First Year Students
Seniors

20. Student-Faculty Interaction
“Students learn firsthand how experts think about and solve practical problems by interacting with faculty members inside and outside the classroom. As a result, their teachers become role models, mentors, and guides for continuous, life-long learning.”
Benchmark is computed from items assessing the frequency of one-on-one interactions with faculty both in and out of class

21. 2011 Results GGC Georgia System Carnegie Class NSSE 2011
GGC
Georgia System
Carnegie Class
NSSE 2011
NSSE 2011 Top 50%
NSSE 2011 Top 10%
Class
Mean a
Sig b
Effect Size c
Effect size c
First-Year
39.6
34.2
***
.29
37.1
.13
34.4
.28
39.3
.01
43.7
-.19
Senior
44.1
42.0
.10
44.9
-.04
49.3
-.24
56.0
-.53

22. Student-Faculty Interaction
Top 50% and 10%
First-Year
Senior
Student-Faculty Interaction
(SFI)
GGC Mean falls above 25%tile for top 50% and 10% for both FY and SR

23. Four Year Trends GGC Carnegie Class NSSE 2011 Class Mean a Sig b
GGC
Carnegie Class
NSSE 2011
Class
Mean a
Sig b
Effect Size c
First-Year
39.6
37.1
***
.13
34.4
.28
Senior
44.1
44.9
-.04
42.0
.10
NSSE 2010
40.6
37.7 **
.15
35.2
.29
46.6
47.2
-.03
42.4 *
.20
Carnegie Basic
NSSE 2009
43.9
37.9
.32
34.6
.50
47.9
48.7
NSSE 2008
45.9
38.2
.40
.60
51.5
46.1
.25
42.3
.44

24. First Year Students

25. Seniors

26. Student-Faculty Interaction
Specific Items
2011
2010
2009
2008
Student-Faculty Interaction
GGC
NSSE
Are faculty members accessible and supportive?
% of FY students say their faculty are available, helpful and sympathetic 54 48 64 67 46 44
How many students work on research projects with faculty?
By their senior year, % of students have done research with a faculty member. 13 20 12 19 18
Do students receive prompt feedback on academic performance?
% of FY students indicate that they frequently get prompt verbal or written feedback from faculty members. 65 58 73 57 75 56
How often do students talk with advisors or faculty members about their career plans?
% of seniors at least occasionally discuss career plans with faculty. 4
% never talk with faculty members about career plans. 83 17 82 93 7 86 14 61 11 42
Do students and faculty members work together on committees and projects outside of course work?
% of FY students at least occasionally spend time with faculty members on activities other than coursework. 41 43 45 53 35 16

27. Top 50% and 10% --- Four Year
First Year Students
Seniors

28. Enriching Educational Experiences
“Complementary learning opportunities enhance academic programs. Diversity experiences teach students valuable things about themselves and others. Technology facilitates collaboration between peers and instructors. Internships, community service, and senior capstone courses provide opportunities to integrate and apply knowledge.”
Benchmark is computed from items assessing frequency of engagement in a variety of co-curricular and experiential development opportunities.

29. 2011 Results GGC Georgia System Carnegie Class NSSE 2011
GGC
Georgia System
Carnegie Class
NSSE 2011
NSSE 2011 Top 50%
NSSE 2011 Top 10%
Class
Mean a
Sig b
Effect Size c
Effect size c
First-Year
26.5
28.6
***
-.15
26.9
-.03
27.8 **
-.09
30.5
-.30
33.7
-.52
Senior
34.9
40.9
-.34
40.2
-.29
40.4
46.7
-.66
55.3
-1.23

30. Enriching Educational Experiences
Top 50% and 10%
Enriching Educational Experiences
(EEE)
GGC mean falls above 25%tile for top 50% and 10% for FY
GGC mean falls at 25%tile for top 50% and below 25%tile for top 10% for SR

31. Four Year Trends GGC Carnegie Class NSSE 2011 Class Mean a Sig b
GGC
Carnegie Class
NSSE 2011
Class
Mean a
Sig b
Effect Size c
First-Year
26.5
26.9
-.03
27.8 **
-.09
Senior
34.9
40.2
***
-.29
40.4
-.30
NSSE 2010
29.2
-.20
27.9
-.10
35.5
45.1
-.50
40.5
-.28
Carnegie Basic
NSSE 2009
30.2
29.1
.08
28.0 *
.16
38.6
46.7
-.43
40.8
-.12
NSSE 2008
32.0
27.0
.35
27.5
.33
39.3
41.3
-.11
-.06

32. First Year Students

33. Seniors

34. Enriching Educational Experiences
Specific Items
2011
2010
2009
2008
Enriching Educational Experiences
GGC
NSSE
What types of honors courses, learning communities, and other distinctive programs are offered?
During their first year, % of students participate in a learning community.
By their senior year, % of students have taken an independent study class. 9 7 26 17 15 19 10 18 22 13 16
How often do students interact with peers with different social, political, or religious views?
% of FY students say they frequently have serious conversations with students who are different from themselves in terms of their religious, political, or personal beliefs. 56 54 58 55 64 52 60
How often do students interact with peers from different racial or ethnic backgrounds?
% of FY students frequently have serious conversations with those of a different race. 36 51
How many students study in other countries?
By their senior year, % of students have studied abroad. 6 5 14 8 3
Do students participate in activities that enhance their spirituality?
% of FY students frequently engage in spiritually enhancing activities such as worship, meditation, or prayer. 35 31 37 32 33
What percentage of students participate in community service?
By the time they are seniors, % of students have participated in community service or volunteer work. 46 57 62

35. Top 50% and 10% --- Four Year
First Year Students
Seniors

36. Supportive Campus Environment
“Students perform better and are more satisfied at colleges that are committed to their success and cultivate positive working and social relations among different groups on campus.”
Benchmark is computed from items assessing perceived campus support and quality of relationships.

37. 2011 Results GGC Georgia System Carnegie Class NSSE 2011
GGC
Georgia System
Carnegie Class
NSSE 2011
NSSE 2011 Top 50%
NSSE 2011 Top 10%
Class
Mean a
Sig b
Effect Size c
Effect size c
First-Year
65.0
61.3 *
.10
64.6
-.07
62.7
.02
67.4
***
-.23
71.2
-.45
Senior
58.7
.26
62.9
.04
59.1 **
.24
64.9
-.06
68.7
-.27

38. Supportive Campus Environment
Top 50% and 10%
First-Year
Senior
Supportive Campus Environment
(SCE)
GGC Mean falls well above 25%tile for both top 50% and 10% for both FY and SR

39. Three Year Trends GGC Carnegie Class NSSE 2010 Class Mean a Sig b
GGC
Carnegie Class
NSSE 2010
Class
Mean a
Sig b
Effect Size c
First-Year
63.2
64.6
-.07
62.7
.02
Senior
63.7
62.9
.04
59.1 **
.24
65.0
64.8
.01
62.5 *
.14
62.3
.12
59.6
.26
Carnegie Basic
NSSE 2009
66.4
.08
61.6
***
65.2
.13
58.2
.36
NSSE 2008
67.7
63.1
61.0
.35
70.7
61.4
.48
58.0
.66

40. First Year Students

41. Seniors

42. Supportive Campus Environment
Specific Items
2010
2009
2008
Supportive Campus Environment
GGC
NSSE
How well do students get along with other students?
% of FY students report that their peers are friendly, supportive, and help them feel as if they belong. 51 59 54 58 57
Are students satisfied with their overall educational experience?
% of FY students report a favorable image of this institution;
% of seniors would choose this school again if they could start their college career over. 88 87 82 90 84 91 89 92 86
How much time do students devote to co-curricular activities?
% of FY students spend more than 15 hours a week participating in co-curricular activities.
% spend no time participating in co-curricular activities 5 62 9 40 11 63 10 4 2
How well do students get along with administrators and staff?
% of FY students find the administrative personnel and offices helpful, considerate, and flexible. 35 37 43 36 45 47 32
To what extent does the school help students deal with their academic and social needs?
% of FY students feel that this institution has a substantial commitment to their academic success.
% feel well-supported by the institution regarding their social needs. 78 79 52 77 49 85

43. Top 50% and 10% --- Four Year
First Year Students
Seniors

44. The Good News … And the Bad
The Bad News
Comparisons to USG schools
LAC is equivalent
ACL is substantially higher
SFI is significantly and substantially higher for FY; equivalent for SR
SCE is equivalent for FY and significantly and substantially higher for SR
EEE is significantly and substantially lower
Comparisons to Carnegie Class
LAC is equivalent for both FY and SR (this is a statistical improvement over 2010; GGC scores are stable for FY and up for SR.)
ACL is significantly higher for both FY and SR
SFI continues to be significantly higher for FY and equivalent for SR
EEE is equivalent for FY
SCE remains equivalent for both FY and SR
EEE remains significantly lower for SR, but difference is smaller

45. Comparisons to full NSSE sample
Cont.
The Good News
The Bad News
Comparisons to full NSSE sample
LAC: GGC mean falls above 25%tile for top 50% for FY and top 10% for SR
ACL continues to be significantly and substantially higher than NSSE sample for both FY and SR; GGC mean falls WELL above 25%tile for top 50% and top 10% for both FY and SR
SFI scores are significantly and substantially above the mean for FY and equivalent for SR; GGC Mean falls above 25%tile for top 50% and 10% for both FY and SR
EEE: GGC mean falls above 25%tile for top 10% for FY
SCE scores are equivalent to national sample for FY and statistically and substantially above national mean for SR; GGC Mean falls well above 25%tile for both top 50% and 10% for both FY and SR
LAC continues to lag statistically; GGC mean falls below 25%tile for top 10% for FY; gap is widening for both FY and SR
EEE continues to lag statistically; GGC mean is at 25%tile for top 50% and below 25%tile for top 50% for SR
Trends
LAC scores have stayed stable across all four years
ACL scores have stablilized over past two years for FY and have remained stable across four years for SR
EEE scores have stabilized over past two years – drops came between 2009 and 2010 (1500 vs 3500 students)
SCE scores have remained stable across three years for SR
SFI scores show declines across years; gap is widening between GGC and top 50% and 10% for SR
SCE scores show a declining trend for FY

46. Other -- Specific Items
Cont.
The Good News
The Bad News
Other -- Specific Items
There has been a noticable increase in the % of SRs who have participated in some form of practicum, internship, field experience, co-op or clinical assignment, although this continues to lag behind national figures
There has been a noticeable drop in the % of FY students who find administrative personnel and offices helpful, considerate and flexible
There has been a noticeable drop in the % of FY students who find faculty available, helpful and sympathetic
There has been a noticeable drop in the % of seniors who discuss career plans with faculty

47. Take Home Points Most benchmark scores have stabilized this year
Level of Academic Challenge scores are, for this year equivalent to our Carnegie peers
We continue to receive scores higher than average and higher than peers in
Active and Collaborative Learning (FY and SR)
Student –Faculty Interaction(FY and SR)
Supportive Campus Environment (SR)

48. Take Home Points
Across all benchmarks except EEE, the GGC mean lies within the middle 50% of means for the top 50% of schools in the NSSE sample
Across many benchmarks, the GGC mean falls within the middle 50% of means for the top 10% of schools in the NSSE sample
LAC – SR
ACL – FY and SR
SFI – FY and SR
SCE – FY and SR