2009 Alumni Survey - Highlights

2009 Alumni Survey - Highlights

This report summarizes the findings of the 2009 Alumni Survey. The primary goal of this annual survey is to provide members of the University community with useful information on alumni activities and accomplishments, graduates’ evaluations of their University of the Sciences experiences, and the degree of alumni attachment to the University. Results of the Alumni Survey are distributed throughout the University and are used to support strategic planning efforts, program reviews, accreditation self-studies, and quality improvement initiatives.

In April of 2009, all University of the Sciences alumni graduating in 2006, 2004, and 1999 were mailed an invitation to participate in this year’s survey. In addition, two reminder emails were forwarded to all alumni for whom the University had valid email addresses. To further promote participation, announcements of the survey were included in the Alumni Newsletter and on the University of the Sciences Alumni Association Facebook page. Despite the steps taken to increase alumni participation, only 12% of eligible graduates submitted a completed survey.

This overview of survey highlights offers a glimpse into the meaning of the “USP experience” for alumni from these three classes. For a more comprehensive understanding of alumni activities and their views of the University, readers are encouraged to examine the detailed findings presented in following Summary Report.

Key Findings

University of the Sciences graduates are actively engaged in their careers.
- Only 7 graduates, of the more than 3600 surveyed since 1992, report being unemployed, not by choice.
- 94% are working or are students in an advanced degree program
- 84% are working in a professional area related to their major
- 11% have been employed at some point since graduating in career areas unrelated to their USP major
University of the Sciences graduates are satisfied with their academic experiences.
- Overall alumni satisfaction is one of the best predictors of whether graduates would choose to attend USP again and whether they would recommend USP to others.
- The highest levels of satisfaction are reported for a graduate’s program of study, the quality of instruction, the accessibility of faculty and a graduate’s overall academic experience
- Approximately three-quarters of alumni are satisfied with their overall experience as a student at USP, their academic preparation for their first job, their general education courses, and the quality of relationships with faculty in their major
- Consistent with prior survey findings, alumni are less satisfied with academic advising in their major and academic advising during their first two years
University of the Sciences graduates recognize the value of academic experiences within their major field of study.
- 54% of USP graduates have been promoted or changed jobs to an advanced position in the last two years.
- 84% feel their education gave them a concentrated, in-depth, and detailed knowledge of one discipline or one professional field
- 82% feel their education prepared them for their present job or career
- 80% feel their education made an important contribution to their current level of professional success
- 76% feel their education helped them develop professional skills in their discipline
University of the Sciences graduates understand the importance of general education skills.
- In the last two years, 65% of USP graduates have mentored a colleague or student, 64% have taken a course of some kind, and 38% have delivered a professional presentation.
- Alumni feel their education was most effective in helping them develop:
University of the Sciences graduates feel their education has had a positive impact on their personal lives.
- Approximately three-quarters of the alumni surveyed feel that their USP education was highly effective in helping them achieve their personal goals.
- 64% feel their education has broadened their intellectual interests
- 62% feel their education has given them the background need to make ethical and moral decisions
- 61% feel their education prepared them to become functioning citizens in their communities
- 60% feel their education has provided them with the necessary tools for effective communication
University of the Sciences graduates still feel a sense of attachment to the University regardless of when they graduated.
University of the Sciences value relationships with individual faculty and staff.
- When asked which faculty or staff member had the greatest positive, professional or personal impact on them, alumni provided 63 distinct references to current or past USP personnel
- Individuals most often cited by alumni include:
  - Dan Hussar
  - Suzanne Murphy
  - Cathy Poon
  - George Downs
  - Sarah Spinler
  - Andrew Peterson
  - Amy Kimchuk
  - James Johnson
Most USP graduates have positive impressions of the University, however, a clear segment of alumni have reservations about USP.
- The two most important reasons given for why alumni would not attend USP again or recommend USP to others are:
  - Can get as good an education elsewhere for less money
  - USP does not provide a real college experience
- 37% feel USP’s academic reputation is Improving, but 15% feel it is Declining
- 80% believe their USP education was important for their professional success, but 9% are not sure and 11% feel it was not important
- 62% would attend USP again, but 23% are uncertain and 16% would not attend USP again
- 71% would recommend USP to others, but 19% are undecided and 11% would not recommend USP to others

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