University participating in survey of alumni satisfaction

Ball State is one of 13 Indiana universities participating in a survey regarding alumni satisfaction and outcomes.

The survey is a collaboration with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Gallup, a data driven and researched based company.

“Ball State’s prime interest in working with Gallup is to have more data to drive decision-making around student services offerings,” Sam Snideman, director of governmental relations for Ball State, said in an email.

Snideman said the university’s participation supports two points in President Paul W. Ferguson’s Centennial Commitment: to become more student- centered and community-engaged.

“We think this will help us evaluate and enhance the educational experiences we're offering to undergraduates,” Snideman said. “We also think it will help BSU as it attempts to better partner with the employer community and the larger higher education system in Indiana."

The university will receive a 50 percent subsidy to help finance the participation in the survey as part of a $500,000 grant, according to a press release from the Commission. The subsidy is provided by USA Funds, a company that provides support and aid to college students from various backgrounds.

Communication Director for the Commission, Stephanie Wilson, said the subsidy from USA Funds allows them to offer the survey at a discounted price, so colleges can do it for the cost of tuition for a student.

“I think [the survey] gives [the colleges] a great opportunity to really highlight and showcase their great programs and the good things they are already doing on their campus that previously wasn’t accounted for at the state level,” Wilson said.

The survey is currently in progress and the first round of results is expected by next summer or fall, Wilson said.

The results will provide feedback for colleges about which practices make the biggest differences in their students’ lifelong term, according to the press release.

Executive Director for Education & Workforce Development at Gallup Brandon Busteed said in an email, the survey will measure purpose, physical, community, financial and social well-being. The goal is to understand the relationship between college and long-term success for graduates.

Busteed said there is not much data available to measure and understand long-term outcomes of alumni.

“We have relied on rankings and ratings to judge the quality of an institution, yet those rankings and ratings have never measured the learning growth and development of students nor the long-term outcomes they achieve after graduation,” Busteed said.

Each university participating will receive a report of their specific alumni, Busteed said.

Sindeman said the data will be critical to understand what Ball State is doing well and which areas need improvement.

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