Institutional Research and Planning Room 306 1871 Old Main Drive Shippensburg, PA 17257 Phone: (717)-477-1154 Fax: (717)-477-4077 irp@ship.edu

Alumni Survey II The Alumni Survey II was designed to collect data from alumni who graduated 20 years prior to the survey. The participants consisted of both graduate and undergraduate alumni from the classes of 1976 and 1977 from Shippensburg University. The alumni were surveyed regarding their level of education, involvement in activities and organizations, the degree of importance and level of impact SU had on various personal skills, satisfaction with and improvement of their college experience, career choice and satisfaction, overall rating of SU, and strengths and weaknesses of SU. The information obtained will be incorporated into the university's assessment and future planning of various components of its educational process and services. The majority of the 20-year alumni hold a Master's degree, and one-quarter of those with Bachelor's degrees plan to continue their education. Of those who plan to go on, about one-third responded that they would be interested in continuing their education at SU. As a whole, the respondents were very satisfied with their careers and most felt that SU had adequately prepared them for their careers. The alumni expressed high satisfaction with the quality of instruction in their major, the usefulness of major courses, class size, and availability of faculty. Regarding involvement since graduation, alumni were active in reading VISTA, keeping in contact with former classmates, belonging to professional organizations, and participating in community services. Fewer alumni reported involvement in alumni committees or alumni events. Alumni considered decision-making, time management, reading, teamwork, writing, leadership, interpersonal, and independence as the most important skills since graduation. They reported that SU had significant impact on them in those areas. A large number of alumni reported that they would take an internship and more technology courses if they could relive their college experience. Few would choose another college or university and fewer would not go to college at all. The alumni suggested that SU take a more practical approach to education. Overall, however, the alumni cited many of the university's strengths, including its good, friendly, and safe atmosphere, its great reputation, and the life-long friendships and relationships they established while here.