Most student engagement surveys describe various dimensions of student behavior but fail to: (1) inform as to the real reasons for delayed graduation and withdrawal, and (2) propose meaningful alternatives. To truly understand the student perspective, students must be asked to directly respond to questions about their education goals and intentions, classroom preferences and expectations, and academic and social integration activities. Additionally, the questions must explore alternatives and recommendations for improvement.

Generate Reliable Student Intelligence to Know:

• What do students want to accomplish at the institution? Is the institution meeting students’ educational and career goals? What needs to change to meet the goals?
• What do students value most about the university? Why? What strengths need to be communicated to prospective students to improve attraction strategies? How do these preferences change as the student progresses?
• Do students find the current academic and social integration programs to be effective? Why? What can be done to make improvements? Are other programs necessary? Which ones?
• Do students intend to graduate in four (4) years? Six (6) years? Why or Why not? What do they recommend to support achievement of their educational goals?
• Are students forming effective relationships with faculty? Why? What needs to be done to make improvements?

Student Retention Research enables administrators to:

• Know what needs to be done to improve student retention – especially fall–to-fall freshman retention
• Identify and remove barriers preventing on-time graduation
• Institute an effective retention strategy.
• Provide faculty with direct feedback from students on classroom and advisory performance

With graduation rates hovering at 50%, colleges are facing escalating scrutiny to improve these percentages. Therefore, the “voice of the student” has never been more important. Utilizing sound research practices in determining students preferences, expectations and intents will provide administrators the necessary data to significantly improve the student experience and graduate more students.