Samford University continues to be a leader in high-impact education, according to data reported in the 2022 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Overall, 99% of Samford graduates from the class of 2022 participated in at least one high-impact practice. Further, Samford senior students outpaced students from other private universities in the southeast as well as peer national doctoral/professional institutions in five out of six high-impact practice indicators.
The annual NSSE survey represents empirically confirmed practices in undergraduate education that reflect positive student learning outcomes. In addition to exploring student study habits, educational plans and experiences, time spent out of the classroom, and satisfaction with the campus, faculty and curriculum, the survey provides results on six high-impact practices that are positively associated with student learning, development and retention.
The six high-impact practices identified by NSSE include: completing a culminating senior experience, completing an internship or field experience, participating in service learning, participating in a learning community, participating in research with a faculty member and studying abroad.
According to NSSE, “these high-impact practices demand considerable time and effort, facilitate learning outside of the classroom, require meaningful interactions with faculty and students, encourage collaboration with diverse others and provide frequent and substantive feedback. As a result, participation in these practices can be life changing.”
“At Samford, our faculty and staff are committed to delivering rigorous academic programs in an environment that engages our students and provides impactful, experiential learning opportunities,” University Provost J. Michael Hardin said. “The results of the 2022 NSSE survey affirm the quality of our student experience and emphasis on student engagement.”
The Wall Street Journal ranks Samford No. 1 nationally for student engagement and U.S. News & World Report ranks Samford No. 66 in the nation for best undergraduate teaching – placing Samford in the top 2% of all colleges and universities in the country and the only university in Alabama to make the list.
In November, Samford reported a 97% post-graduate career placement rate for the class of 2022, further demonstrating the impact of Samford’s commitment to the student experience and career preparedness.
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. In addition to the evaluation of high-impact practices, NSSE results serve as an essential data source for various levels of accreditation and academic program review. In commitment to continuous assessment and improvement of the undergraduate experience, Samford administers the survey to its students annually.