Your Voices

Results from a Survey of USFSM Faculty/Staff Perceptions

Question 1: What strengths does USFSM currently possess that will enable a high achievement level of the metrics?

Faculty and staff (high quality, experts in their fields, supportive) (20)

Small size, low student/teacher ratio (20)

Student services, one-stop shop (5)

High-quality, well planned curriculum (sequences) (5)

Community/employer partnerships (4)

Location (3)

Student engagement opportunities (1)

Field-based practice (1)

Commitment to continuous improvement (1)

Being new (1)

Non-traditional students (1)

Questions #2: In your opinion, how does USFSM need to improve in order to reach a high achievement level of these metrics?

Change in culture, morale (5)

More campus involvement opportunities (5)

More space, services, facilities (testing center, undergraduate research) (4)

Hiring additional staff/better hiring procedures (3)

Professional development (3)

Better student recruiting (3)

Different/improved classes/electives/less complexity of academic programs (3)

Better data collection for metrics; more feedback to departments (2)

Questions #2: In your opinion, how does USFSM need to improve in order to reach a high achievement level of these metrics?

Better strategic planning, goal-setting, students-first culture (2)

Internship to workplace, career support (2)

Better students (2)

Better branding (1)

More financial aid/scholarships (1)

Strong leadership (1)

More resources in general (1)

Increase in diversity (faculty & students) (1)

Question #3. In your opinion, why are some students retained through to graduation?

a. Clear goals (5)

e. Institutional fit (5)

b. Student characteristics, ability to juggle life and

studies (3)

c. Students achieve success at USFSM and before

(2)

d. Related to college (education and business) (1)

Question #3. Why do some students not remain through to graduation?

a. Difficult life situations, personal problems, financial problems (14)

b. Poor institutional fit or change in institutional fit (4)

c. Unclear about goals (2)

d. Student impatience with requirements (2)

e. Lack of academic programs (1)

f. Lack of support programs (1)

g. Student relocation (1)

h. Lack of college structure (CAS) (1)

Question #4: What would you say is "unique" about USFSM in its present status?

Size, private college feel (10)

Faculty/student ratio (9)

Location (9)

Sense of community (4)

Talented faculty and staff (4)

Connection with USF (4)

Hospitality program (4)

Beautiful appearance (2)

Niche programs (2)

Partnerships (Mote Marine and CIL) (Community) (2)

Low tuition (2)

Multigenerational students (2)

Opportunities for growth (1)

New (1)

Involvement opportunities (1)

Question #5: What would you like to see the institution do to attain a unique niche that it does not currently have?

Link programs to community identity, needs, and interests (10)

Maintain/develop/market signature programs, niche programs (8)

Create “college culture,” student life options (3)

Build e-learning (3)

Develop four-year programs (2)

Add housing option (2)

More student engagement, experiential learning (2)

Embrace change (1)

Adhere to best practices (1)

Question #5: What would you like to see the institution do to attain a unique niche that it does not currently have?

Build arts-integration component with community connection (1)

Keep programs on campus (1)

Reach out to potential students (1)

Develop accelerated programs (1)

Add water sports (1)

Be a “real university” (1)

Recognize the importance of the aging population (1)

Make USFSM an “honors college” (1)