University of Calgary improves in National Survey of Student Engagement

The results of the 2017 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) were published last week, and undergraduate students in their first and fourth year say study spaces, academic support and learning experiences led to a positive experience at the University of Calgary. The university improved in the majority of indicators, demonstrating that campus-wide efforts to improve on the 2014 feedback are on track.

“The University of Calgary values the input from our undergraduate students through participation in the 2017 NSSE survey. It is one of several ways the University of Calgary gathers input from our students on the quality of their educational experience, an area that we are committed to continually advancing,” says Dru Marshall, provost and vice-president (academic). “These results speak to the dedication and commitment from our academic and support staff, who have worked very hard to deliver excellent teaching and learning experiences for our students.”

The NSSE Support team, made up of experts from the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, will work with faculties and units across campus to develop action plans based on this year’s results. Action plans will help us continue to build on our student engagement strengths and identify areas for growth and development.

Since 2011, the university has invested over $12 million in renovating classrooms, labs and other learning spaces; more than $2.5 million in creating and upgrading study spaces and $4 million in wireless infrastructure. A donation of $40 million has also allowed us to build the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, which is helping transform teaching through the integration of teaching practices, learning technologies and optimal designs for learning spaces. 

The results also show that faculty and student interaction has improved, highlighting the meaningful interactions our students are having through their learning. 

NSSE has been in operation since 2000 and has been used at more than 1,600 colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada. The University of Calgary’s 2017 NSSE response rates exceeded those of its comparison group. In spring 2017, 33 per cent of first-year students participated, and 39 per cent of fourth-year students. The University of Calgary participates in the survey every three years.