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December 21, 2009

National study shows one-to-one success at Union

Special to The Times-Tribune

Results from the 2009 National Study of Student Engagement (NSSE) show that Union College’s commitment to a one-to-one education has produced results.

More than 600 colleges and universities and 360,000 students participated in the study.  Union’s results are measured against all participants, against other colleges who share Union’s Carnegie classification, and against all private colleges in the southeastern United States.

The NSSE’s annual survey provides information about effective educational practices at participating colleges and universities. Five key areas of educational quality are measured: level of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction, enriching educational experiences and supportive campus environment.

Union’s results reflect the college’s emphasis on a personal, one-to-one education that includes small class sizes, personal attention and close relationships that lead to unique opportunities for students.

Fifty-two percent of Union’s first-year students reported talking to a faculty member about career plans. Nationally, that number is only 32 percent. Thirty-nine percent of Union seniors worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework, which is 17 points higher than the national average.

Union students also reported positive relationships with administrative personnel and offices at a rate that is approximately 20 points higher than the national average.

The 2009 NSSE also demonstrates that Union students are more engaged with their academic experience. Seventy-seven percent of first-year students and 79 percent of seniors reported working harder than expected to meet an instructor’s expectations. Those numbers are 20 points higher than national results. Ninety-four percent of Union seniors reported asking questions or contributing to class discussions. At the national level, that number is 72 percent.

In key benchmark areas measured by NSSE for educational practice, Union scored higher than comparison groups on active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction and supportive campus environment.

To learn more about Union, visit www.unionky.edu.

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