Assessment Projects - Collaborative

BF Scholar Retention and Graduation Study
Each year fifteen students are selected to be BF Scholars at the Multicultural Student Center. These students receive scholarships and mentor other students. In order to demonstrate the value of the program, BF Scholar retention and graduation has been tracked for 1998-2001 cohorts and is currently being used to secure refunding of the grant. This graduation and retention study was conducted in early fall 2003 and will be updated the new official data once it becomes available.

Multicultural Student Reception (MCR) Evaluation
The annual MSR evaluation is voluntary and randomly administered to reception attendees. The main purpose of the survey is to gather information related to satisfaction of different aspects of the program, such as small-group discussion. The evaluation is used to determine effectiveness of the reception in terms of enhancing community-building, educational opportunities, connectedness to the university, diversity awareness, etc. Also, the evaluation is used to make changes and/or additions to the reception.

Biggest Obstacle for New NAU Students
New (transfer and first-time) students at NAU were asked to voluntarily complete the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) survey as part of a national and institutional study. The main purpose of the survey is to gather information about students’ academic experiences and expectations for college in order to determine what happens to students when they attend college. The results are used to better understand student learning and development and to help improve the quality of college education. This year, NAU added and open-ended question to the CIRP survey: “What do you believe will be the biggest challenge you face as a student at Northern Arizona University?” While the Higher Education Research Institute is providing analysis for all of the other survey items, Student Affairs staff analyzed the open-ended responses. The results of the analysis will be used in multiple ways to address the needs and concerns of freshmen. (Go to Full Report)