ex-cep-tion-al, adj. 1. Forming an exception or rare instance; unusual; extraordinary 2. Unusually excellent; superior
3. (Education) Intellectually gifted or otherwise in need of a specialized learning environment
NATIONAL MEASURES OF QUALITY Higher education faces unprecedented criticism as public officials demand data to prove that education is worth what it costs. Amid much discussion about how to standardize, measure, quantify, and compare the quality of educational programs, it becomes clear that although some exceptional qualities can be measured by statistics, much of it cannot. We believe there is a meaningful way to assess the quality of colleges and universities as a way to differentiate the exceptional from the rest. National Measures of Quality (NMQ) is a reliable, sensible model of assessment developed by the College of Mount Saint Vincent to allow any institution to evaluate educational outcomes. NMQ includes both statistical and qualitative data窶馬ot only graduation statistics and retention rates, but also qualitative data such as student participation in extracurricular activities and student satisfaction. Together they demonstrate the exceptional quality and authentic value of a Mount education, both within and beyond the classroom.
Vol. 1, No. 1
NATIONAL MEASURES OF QUALITY EXCEPTIONAL Our programs, faculty, students and graduates are exceptional. Number 1: The Mount has the highest graduation rate in the U.S. for Hispanic students in the sciences and science-related fields and is ranked first in the nation among models of effective teaching. (UCLA study funded by the National Science Foundation) In the top 10: Among Hispanic-serving institutions, the Mount has one of the 10 best graduation rates in the U.S. Our graduation rate for Hispanic students is 56% better than the national average. (U.S. Department of Education) Distinctions that matter: The Mount was named a 2014-2015 College of Distinction—ranked as one of the nation’s best places to learn, grow, and succeed. Road to success: Washington Monthly ranks the Mount #26 for social mobility among the best 255 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. The Mount is a route up. First-generation success: The Mount’s four-year graduation rate for first-generation students is 67% better than the national average. (UCLA Higher Education Research Institute) Mount grads get jobs: Their average debt is 10% less than students nationally. Even with the economy at its worst, the default rate on student loans rose to only 53% of the national average. (U.S. Department of Education)
90-100%: That’s the Mount’s pass rate on the NYS Teacher Education Certification Exam. It’s not just in the testing that we excel. In 2012 one of our alums was ranked #1 out of 12,000 New York City teachers. Alumni give back: The Mount has one of the top rates of alumni giving in the region. In 2012, Giving USA reported an increase of 3.5% in charitable giving nationally, but at the Mount the increase in alumni giving was nearly twice that. In 2013, Mount alumni giving held steady while falling 9.2% nationally. (Bloomberg Report) Top 10—again: Best Colleges ranks the Mount among the top 10 Catholic colleges and universities in the U.S. and 13th most diverse among colleges and universities nationwide. No wheels needed: Best Colleges rates New York as the best city in the U.S. for a student without a car. We knew that.
MOUNT STUDENTS are fully engaged— and it shows. Compared to students at peer institutions, they... •
Are more likely to come to class, revise papers to improve their writing, look up scientific research and resources, seek feedback on academic work, tutor another student, work with classmates on group projects during class, and make a presentation in class
• Are more likely to engage in intellectual discussions outside of class and less likely to be bored in class • Ask questions in class more frequently and see themselves as willing to have their own views challenged more often • Are more likely to seek solutions to problems and are more willing to explain them to others • Are more likely to evaluate the quality or reliability of information that they are given • Are more likely to accept mistakes as part of the learning process •
Are more likely to display intellectual self-confidence, academic ability, writing ability, computer skills, public speaking skills, creativity, cooperativeness, artistic ability, social self-confidence, and self-understanding *Source: UCLA Higher Education Research Institute, 2013
NATIONAL MEASURES OF QUALITY THE OXLEY CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAM The Mount is a national leader in career education. Forging careers: Our students intern at Pfizer, Inc., The New York Stock Exchange, CBS News, The New York Mets, Deutsche Bank, The Food Network, New Line Cinema, Mass Mutual Insurance Company, and dozens and dozens more. Best practices: Mount nursing students complete their clinical training at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Mount Sinai, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, Westchester Medical Center, and many, many more. Strong finishers: More Mount seniors (71%) complete practica, internships, field experiences, and clinical assignments before graduation than the national average (49%). (National Survey of Student Engagement [NSSE])
Advance planning: Mount students are 26% more likely to discuss career plans with faculty members and advisors than students at other colleges and universities. (NSSE) Inquiring minds: Mount students are 40% likelier to work on a research project with a faculty member than students at other colleges and universities, even when it’s not required. (NSSE) Expert connections: Through our ParaMount Perspectives Speaker Series, Mount students make important connections with prominent executives, artists, scientific researchers, doctors, and leaders in government and industry. Broader horizons: Distinguished alumni and friends of the College mentor Mount students, resulting in lasting relationships that broaden their cultural horizons and professional development.
Bright forecast: The ETC College Rankings Index rates the Mount in the top tier of U.S. colleges for improving student/alumni earning and employability. Wide open vistas: Twelve joint degree programs offer a fast track to advanced degrees in business, criminology and justice, education, history, library and information services, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatric medicine, social work, and sociology.
MOUNT STUDENTS want to take on the world—and care for it, too. Compared to students at peer institutions, Mount seniors... • • • • • •
Feel more prepared for employment after graduation Feel more encouraged by their professors to pursue graduate or professional study Put a higher value on running a successful business of their own Put a higher value on helping others More often see their knowledge of national issues and the problems facing their communities as a strength More often consider the ability to manage their time as a strength
• Put a higher value on becoming accomplished in one of the performing arts • More often identify themselves as ambitious • More often believe that working for social change is essential • More often believe that income potential is important • More often believe that stability and security are important • More often believe that initiative and creativity are essential • More often believe that expression of personal values is important • More often believe that their leadership is essential • More often believe that work/life balance is essential *Source: UCLA Higher Education Research Institute, 2013
NATIONAL MEASURES OF QUALITY LEADERS IN SERVICE Mount students and alumni are leaders in service. Community partnerships move mountains: Mount students work with leading service organizations in health care and environmental action, with Habitat for Humanity and in homeless shelters, with veterans and in communities for the elderly, in after school programs and soup kitchens. Service takes time: Mount students annually volunteer 10,000+ hours of service to those in need, partnering with more than 50 organizations, responding to the needs of youth, people suffering from illness and disability, the homeless and disenfranchised, the elderly, and the poor. Last year they: • Raised $46,300 for cancer research • Raised more than $50,000 for Philippine typhoon relief • Brought food and blankets to New York City’s homeless through the Midnight Run • Repaired homes in Appalachia • Worked in community health in Guatemala • Worked at Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center through the Mount M.D. extended service trip Mentors matter: More than 30 student volunteers mentored teens in partnership with Leake & Watts, an organization founded in 1831 to serve children at risk. One alumnus turned his volunteer experience at Leake & Watts into a career there.
Mind and heart: Last year 32 Seton Service and Leadership Scholars earned an overall grade point average of 3.45 while volunteering more than 3,800 hours in service. All in: During the Mount’s annual Month of Service, more than 500 students, faculty, staff, and alumni pitched in with upwards of 1,500 hours in service.
MOUNT STUDENTS act on their belief in a better world.
Compared to students at peer institutions, they… • See developing a meaningful philosophy of life as more important • See helping to promote racial understanding as more important • Are more likely to see becoming a community leader as important • Are more likely to see spirituality as essential • Are more likely to believe they have strong interpersonal skills • Are more likely to see themselves as taking part in a religious belief system • Are more likely to have meaningful and honest discussions about race/ethnic relations outside of class • Put a higher value on influencing social values and the political structure • Put a higher value on raising a family • Put a higher value on contributing in some way to the sciences, humanities, or arts • Feel a greater sense of personal responsibility about cleaning up and protecting the environment, adopting green practices, and participating in a community action program *Source: UCLA Higher Education Research Institute, 2013
NATIONAL MEASURES OF QUALITY OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM Work/life balance starts here. 25% better: Mount seniors are 25% more likely than students at other colleges and universities to take part in co-curricular activities.
Smart and strong: More than 260 student athletes competed in 15 intercollegiate sports last year. Fifty were named to the Skyline Athletic Conference honor roll (3.2 GPA and above).
31: Number of active student organizations on campus.
600: Number of students participating in intramural sports; 140 take weekly fitness classes.
International: The Underground student literary magazine garnered submissions from student contributors at colleges and universities around the globe. 31% better: Mount students are 31% more likely than students at other colleges and universities to take part in educational experiences outside the classroom. Thousands cheer: Participation at on-campus events and offcampus trips last year totaled more than 6,500 residents and 1,200 commuter students.
Modeling diplomacy: At a Model UN conference, Mount students participated in simulated crisis committees, acting as members of the Myanmar Parliament of 2012, Spain’s Cortes de Cádiz of 1812, and the Nigerian Cabinet of 1966. National ambition: From Mathematics to Anthropology, Biochemistry to Sociology, Business to Chemistry, History to Communication, Mount students present original research at national conferences—and get prizes for it. In 2012, Mount students won two of four undergraduate awards given by the American Society for Cell Biology.
80+: Number of Mount students who presented original work at the last Student Research and Service Symposium. Getting it: On a national survey, Mount students scored 23% higher on civic awareness than students at other colleges and universities. Diversity: Mount seniors are 29% more likely to report their “knowledge of people of other races/cultures” as a major strength than seniors at other colleges and universities. And 61% of Mount seniors consider the ability to get along with people of other races and cultures a major strength.
MOUNT STUDENTS see opportunity as boundless. Compared to students at other colleges, they... • Are more likely to take a risk because they feel they have more to gain • Are more likely to publicly communicate an opinion about a cause • Are more satisfied with the racial and ethnic diversity of the student body • Are more likely to have a roommate of a different racial/ethnic background • Are more likely to participate in student government • Pray more frequently (but for shorter periods of time)
• Drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes less frequently • Spend less time on social media (but not by much) • Are able to negotiate controversial issues • Are well-versed in spirituality • Are likelier to cultivate understanding and tolerance of others with different beliefs • Are able to see the world from another’s perspective *Source: UCLA Higher Education Research Institute, 2013