NSSE? WHAT IS
What does NSSE stand for ?
The
National Survey
of Student Engagement (NSSE)
“annually collects information at hundreds of four-year colleges and universities about first-year and senior students' participation in programs and activities that institutions provide for their learning and personal development.”
QUICK FACTS
§ NSSE provides a “framework for understanding, diagnosing, and improving the quality and effectiveness of undergraduate education.”
§ U.S. higher education institutions have been administering NSSE since 2000.
§ NSSE boasts nearly 1,700 participating institutions during its lifetime.
§ Research from NSSE helps to estimate “how undergraduates spend their time and what they gain from attending college.”
What does NSSE measure?
Campus Environment
Quality of Interactions
Experiences with Faculty Student-Faculty Interaction
Effective Teaching Practices
Learning with Peers
Collaborative Learning
Discussions with Diverse Others
Academic Challenge
Higher- Order Learning
Supportive Environment Service
Culminating Senior Experience
Internship/Field Experience Study Abroad
Research with Faculty
Reflective & Integrative Learning
Learning Strategies
Quantitative Reasoning
Engagement Indicators
frequency and nature of engagement
Topical Modules Include: Academic Advising, Career & Workforce Preparation, Civic Engagement, Development of Transferable Skills, Experiences with Information Literacy, Experiences with Online Learning, Experiences with Writing, First-Year Experiences & Senior Transitions, Global Learning Experiences, Inclusiveness & Engagement with Cultural Diversity, Mental Health & Well-Being
High -Impact Practices
past or future participation
Other Topics
one- off items and area- or learning domain -specific modules
PARTICIPATED? HOW HAS SMU
Who responds to NSSE at SMU?
Total respondents , response rate* and topical modules by year
Academic Advising Career & Workforce Preparation
Academic Advising Career & Workforce Preparation
First-Year Experiences & Senior Transitions
Advising
*Though it declined in 2025, the response rate to NSSE among SMU first-years and seniors has exceeded those at peer, aspirant and other comparison institutions each year of survey administration.
To what extent do NSSE respondents represent SMU?
% of all respondents who identify as… Women
LEARNED? WHAT HAVE WE
What questions does NSSE help us answer?
To what extent are SMU undergraduates challenged academically and engaged on campus?
At what levels do SMU undergraduates participate in High-Impact Practices?
In what ways are SMU undergraduates effectively prepared for their careers?
What do SMU undergraduates have to say in their own words?
What questions does NSSE help us answer?
To what extent are SMU undergraduates challenged academically and engaged on campus?
At what levels do SMU undergraduates participate in High-Impact Practices?
In what ways are SMU undergraduates effectively prepared for their careers?
What do SMU undergraduates have to say in their own words?
SMU undergraduates, particularly first-years, evince high levels of academic challenge particularly compared to their peers at Texas R1s and R2s that are increasing over time.
SMU undergraduates evince high levels of campus engagement that are also increasing over time.
What questions does NSSE help us answer?
To what extent are SMU undergraduates challenged academically and engaged on campus?
At what levels do SMU undergraduates participate in High-Impact Practices?
In what ways are SMU undergraduates effectively prepared for their careers?
What do SMU undergraduates have to say in their own words?
SMU undergraduates are increasingly likely to participate in more than one High-Impact Practice particularly internships, study abroad and culminating senior experiences.
What questions does NSSE help us answer?
To what extent are SMU undergraduates challenged academically and engaged on campus?
At what levels do SMU undergraduates participate in High-Impact Practices?
In what ways are SMU undergraduates effectively prepared for their careers?
What do SMU undergraduates have to say in their own words?
SMU undergraduates evince highly effective preparation for their careers, multiple gauges of which are increasing and outperforming comparison institutions on many and diverse measures.
To what extent are SMU undergraduates challenged academically and engaged on campus?
Is academic challenge at SMU increasing over time?
All indicators of academic challenge are higher scoring over time, suggesting more frequent student engagement. Activities related to higherorder learning were consistently the highestscoring indicators of academic challenge quantitative reasoning the lowest.
First-Years
Seniors
How does academic challenge at SMU stack up ?
Glad you asked. We’re outperforming other institutions on multiple metrics.
Higher- Order Learning
Reflective & Integrative Learning
Learning Strategies
Quantitative Reasoning
Is student engagement increasing over time?
Nearly all engagement indicators are higher scoring over time.
For first-years, quality of interactions is consistently the highest-scoring indicator; for seniors, it’s discussions with diverse others.
For both groups, studentfaculty interaction is the lowest-scoring indicator, suggesting less frequent student engagement.
First-Years
Seniors
Collaborative Learning
Discussions with Diverse Others
Student-Faculty Interaction Effective Teaching Practices
of Interactions
Supportive Environment
How does student engagement at SMU stack up ?
Yet again, we’re outperforming other institutions on multiple metrics.
Collaborative Learning
Discussions with Diverse Others
Student-Faculty Interaction
Effective Teaching Practices
Quality of Interactions
Supportive Environment
At what levels do SMU undergraduates participate in High-Impact Practices?
Is participation in High -Impact Practices increasing over time?
The most common HIPs for first-years* are:
§ Internship/Field Experience: 79%
§ Service-Learning: 60%
§ Study Abroad: 60%
The most common HIPs for seniors are:
§ Internship/Field Experience: 75%
§ Service-Learning: 73%
§ Culminating Senior Experience: 60%
The proportion of all first-year respondents who have or plan to engage in at least one HIP has increased by 10% since 2019, reaching 65% of all first-year respondents in 2025.
The proportion of all senior respondents who have or are in the process of participating in two or more HIPs has increased by 8% since 2019, reaching 86% of all senior respondents in 2025. Yes, it is!
2025
2022
2019
How does participation in High -Impact Practices at SMU stack up ?
It never gets old to say: We’re outperforming other institutions on multiple metrics.
Service-Learning
Culminating Senior Experience Spring 2025
Learning Community
Research with Faculty
Internship or Field Experience
Study Abroad
In what ways are SMU undergraduates effectively prepared for their careers ?
Is effective career preparation at SMU improving over time?
Many indicators of effective career preparation are higher scoring over time.
For first-years and seniors, the role of “fit” in career plans is consistently the highestscoring indicator.
For both groups, the role of career services staff and programming in career plans are the lowest-scoring indicators but both have grown over time.
Take Career-Relevant Coursework
Know About Campus Career Resources Have Received Supportive Feedback
Count Family and Friends as a Career Influence Count "Fit" as a Career Influence
Count Career Services Staff as a Career Influence Count Career Programming as an Influence Have Confidence in Ability to Network
Confidently Communicate with Employers
First-Years
Seniors
Is engagement in career preparation activities at SMU increasing over time?
it is!
Many career preparation activities are evincing higher engagement rates over time.
For first-years and seniors, getting resume help is consistently the most common activity, followed by discussing career interests with faculty
For both groups, student engagement in discussing career interests with career services staff has grown substantially.
First-Years
Seniors
How
does career preparation at SMU stack up ?
For the last time: We’re outperforming other institutions on multiple metrics.
Spring 2025
First-Years Seniors
Cohort, Aspirant & Regional Peers
First-Years
Seniors
Have Clear Career Plans
Take Career-Relevant Coursework
Know About Campus Career Resources
Have Received Supportive Feedback
Count Family and Friends as a Career Influence
Count “Fit” as a Career Influence
Count Career Services
Staff as a Career Influence
Have Confidence in Networking Ability
Confidently Communicate with Employers
Discuss Career Interests with Faculty
Discuss Career Interests with Career Services Staff
Get Resume Help
Participate in a Career Fair
Participate in Networking
What do SMU undergraduates have to say in their own words?
What one change would most improve the educational experience at this institution?
“A lot of the students seem stressed out sometimes, maybe we need to focus more on mental health because sometimes school work can become very heavy and sometimes unorganized.” –First-Year
“One thing that should be changed to improve the educational experience is to have an in-person orientation rather than an online one.” –First-Year
Better food, scholarships and class availability. –Multiple
Changes to the general education curriculum. –Multiple
More faculty-student interaction. –Multiple
“If the institution wants to create world changers, we must have open discussions where people are willing to listen to ideas or beliefs that differ from their own. At times, I feel that the people of color are ostracized on this campus, and I hope that we can work to create an inclusive community where every idea or opinion is heard and valued.” –First-Year
“To be honest, it would be nice to have more outdoor study spaces.” – First-Year
What one thing should not be changed?
“The sense of community and tradition the school holds.” –First-Year
“Stampede Week.” –FirstYear
“The housing system. It is nearly flawless.” –First-Year
“Weekly events going on in the dorms.” –First-Year
“The school is really good at involving the students.” –First-Year
“The focus on leadership.” –Senior
“Greek life has been a very important and fulfilling aspect of my college experience. I think that greek life is integral to the American college experience and should be protected as such.” –Senior
“The amount of student organizations made for a welcoming and inviting campus culture that has helped to make the Hilltop home for thousands of students.” –Senior
“The opportunities for young undergraduate students. The amount of opportunities [I’ve] gotten as a Freshman have been amazing.” –First-Year
“The respect and acknowledgment of all religions. SMU does a really good job of this!” –First-Year
“Please maintain the support and resources for queer and POC students. I can honestly say that without the Women and LGBT center that my opinion of this institution would be VERY DIFFERENT.” –Senior
“The Common's PAL's have been by far the most helpful. It's nice that they're students who understand what the shortfalls of the academic counselors can be and also know to give more accurate advice because of their own experiences.”
–First-Year
What
one thing should not be changed? (cont’d)
“I like the way how SMU has career fairs as well as working with people who are professionals in building resumes, having mock interviews, helping you build skills, etc.” –First-Year
“The excellent career services.” –Senior
“One thing that shouldn't change is the career fairs and the involvement of the faculty and staff with the students.” –First-Year
“The ability to double major! SMU is producing a different breed of world-changers with a unique set of hybrid skills that come from studying different disciplines and passions.” –First-Year
“There is nothing I can think of that this institution could do better to help students develop their career plans or gain workrelated skills.” –First-Year
“SMU does a wonderful job at emphasizing their club involvement. SMU should never change their rules about club activities or campus involvement, it is what makes SMU feel like home.” –Senior
“I think the culture of learning at the school should not change. There are so many resources to get academic help, and the school is so rigorous that I feel motivated to work harder and do better each day.” –FirstYear
“There are some incredible staff and faculty who really care and have a huge impact on your life.” –First-Year
“The health center is great. The career related resources seem beneficial, but to be honest I haven't utilized them to their fullest extent.” –First-Year
Students say the darndest things…
“Have the professors more willing to give their students better grades for the amount of tuition we're paying.” – First-Year
“’Snow days’ when it's below freezing outside, but not exactly snowing.” –First-Year
“Greek life- which they are clearly trying to get rid of. Just stop, it's half the reason people come here. Let greek people be, you're not Vanderbilt.” –First-Year
“Google.” –Senior (in response to the question, “Regarding academic advising, who has been the most helpful and in what way?”)
“Keep sports Good!!!” –Senior
“Burrito day. Make it everyday. One of the best things to ever happen to this college.” –First-Year
§ Learning more about a particular metric/topic NSSE explores (e.g., sense of belonging, student leadership development, student - faculty interaction, engagement in paid internships, etc.)
§ Understanding how particular groups (including identity - based and/or specific campus groups such as FSL groups and Residential Commons) vary in their NSSE responses
§ Combining NSSE data with other student/survey data to uncover patterns
§ Something else!