Student Voices Highlights

Publish Date: Nov. 10, 2020

The Crafton Hills College Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Research and Planning has been sharing findings from its “Student Voices 2020” research study to inform recommendations for improvement based on student experiences. This innovativenstudy was part of a regional effort to understand how students choose a college and their reasons for leaving, how they select a major or career path, and how they access services. The study also gathered perspectives about the impact of Covid-19 on student behavior.

The study revealed that while access- related (online service) inequity is regionally pervasive, some Crafton services improved in the remote environment. One Crafton student stated, “For the tutoring center, I love it and I hope they keep it that way when everything goes back to normal. It’s convenient especially for those who can’t make it on campus.” Another student was pleased with the responsiveness of research librarian assistance available, stating, “They answer my emails in no time and they always check back to see if I’ve found what I need or if I was able to log in to the database.” Student Services has used the student recommendations in this study to increase access-related equity.

The study also shows that Crafton students feel a sense of belonging and are thankful for the quality services they receive and helpful instructors. Although the study did not include website-related questions, students identified the website as the element most needing improvement since, even before Covid-19, it serves as a gateway to the services and information they need. As a result, a follow up study is underway to inform recommendations for improvement to the Crafton Hills College website.