Executive Summary



Piedmont Virginia Community College

Institutional Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness

Non-Returning Students

Intent and Outcomes

2011 Survey of Non-Returning Students

January 13, 2012

Institutional Research, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness

Rachel Boren, Research Assistant

Tara L. Atkins-Brady, Director

Table of Contents

Executive Summary 3

Introduction 5

Methodology 5

Survey 5

Population 5

Mailings and Response Rate 5

Analysis 5

Respondent Characteristics 5

Limitations of the Study 5

Results 7

Respondent Demographics (Table 1) 6

Student Intent (Tables 2 & 3) 7

Reasons for Not Returning to PVCC (Tables 4, 5, & 6) 8

Comparison of Reasons Students Did Not Return to PVCC 8

Comparison over Four Years 9

Student Outcomes 9

Respondents’ Comments 10

Positive 10

Negative 11

Neutral 12

Implications 13

Appendix A – Survey Cover Letters 14

Appendix B – Non-Returning Student Survey 18

Executive Summary

In an effort to learn more about the population of students who do not persist to graduation, surveys non-returning students to gather data on their reasons for enrolling at PVCC, reasons for leaving, current educational and employment status, and their plans for the future. Six hundred were sent a paper copy of the survey and 2,317 were sent an e-copy. Sixty-nine paper surveys and 157 e-surveys were returned, yielding response rates of 11.5% and 6.8%, respectively, with a total response rate of 7.7%. One hundred and twenty returned surveys were from curricular students and 106 were from non-curricular students.

Student Intent

Roughly three-quarters of all respondents indicated “pursue a personal interest” and/or “earn credits that would transfer” as the reason they enrolled at PVCC. Slightly over one-half of all respondents indicated “earn a degree,” “explore career options,” “upgrade current job skills,” and/or “develop skills for a new job” as the reason they enrolled. Nearly 30% of all respondents indicated their most important reason for enrolling at PVCC was to “pursue a personal interest”; 24% indicated “earn credits that would transfer.”

Student Outcomes

Almost seventy percent of all respondents reported achieving their “most important” goal as a result of their last enrollment at PVCC. Fifty-two percent of curricular students and 85% of non-curricular students reported achieving their “most important” goal as a result of their last enrollment at PVCC. Goal attainment varied by financial aid and first generation status. Sixty-five percent of respondents who “applied for, but did not receive financial aid,” and 42% of students who “applied for and received financial aid” indicated they achieved their most important goal. Seventy-seven percent of respondents who “did not apply for financial aid” indicated they achieved their most important goal. Fifty-one percent of first generation respondents and 78% of non-first generation respondents reported achieving their “most important” goal as a result of their last enrollment at PVCC.

Respondents were asked to indicate their reason(s) for not returning to PVCC; 31% of all respondents indicated “achieved academic and/or job-related goals,” 22% indicated “could not attend due to other responsibilities/personal problems,” 19% indicated “transferred to another college,” and 11% indicated “could not work and attend college at the same time.” Fifty-five percent of curricular respondents indicated “transferred to another college” and/or “could not attend due to other responsibilities/personal problems” as reasons for not returning to PVCC; 38% of non-curricular respondents indicated “achieved academic and/or job-related goals.”

Of the most important reasons for respondents not returning to PVCC, “achieved academic and/or job-related goals” (31%), “transferred to another college” (19%), and “could not attend due to other responsibilities/personal problems” (22%) ranked highest. Curricular respondents cited “transferred to another college” (20%) as their most important reason for not returning to PVCC, while non-curricular respondents cited “achieved academic and/or job-related goal” (30%).

After a sharp increase in 2009, the percentage of non-curricular students who indicated they “did not have the financial resources to enroll” and/or “could not work and attend college at the same time” has dropped back to the levels in 2007. These percents went from 8% and 5% in 2007 to 17% and 17% in 2009, back to 7% and 6%, respectively in 2011. The percentage of curricular students who indicated they “did not have the financial resources to enroll” decreased from 20% in 2007 to 6% in 2009, however, has jumped back up to 18% in 2011. The percentage of curricular students who indicated they “could not work and attend college at the same time” increased from 17% in 2007 to 26% in 2009 to the highest reported at 31% in 2011.

Approximately half of the non-returning students surveyed are stop-outs rather than drop-outs. Fifty-three percent said they planned to enroll in credit courses at PVCC in the future. Of those, 21% did not indicate the semester and year they intend to enroll, 68% indicated intent to enroll in spring 2012, 2% summer 2012, and 4% in fall 2012.

Sixty-nine percent of respondents are currently employed. Of these, about 40% are working in a job related to their studies at PVCC.

Implications

Students leave PVCC for many different reasons. Among the best of these reasons are the attainment of education and/or job-related goals and transferring to another college. A majority of non-returning students surveyed indicated they achieved their most important goal as a result of their last enrollment at PVCC. However 32% of all respondents indicated they did not achieve their most important goal upon their last enrollment at the College. Of the respondents who did not achieve their goal, their top reasons for not enrolling at PVCC fall 2011 were “did not have the financial resources,” “could not attend due to other responsibilities/personal problems,” and “could not work and attend college at the same time.” This result has been consistent in all administrations of the survey: Financial need and other responsibilities keep students from returning to PVCC.

Many respondents plan to enroll in credit courses at PVCC in the future. Students like PVCC, and many of those who have stopped-out want to return. However, students’ financial difficulties and their need for strong advising/counseling, present both a challenge and an opportunity for PVCC to stay connected with students who “stop out” and make every effort to bring them back to PVCC, enrolling them in the right program at the right time, with the right support services, to promote their success.

Non-Returning Students: Intent and Outcomes

Introduction

Traditional measures of retention and persistence are incomplete indicators of success and outcomes for PVCC students. In an effort to learn more about students who don’t persist, PVCC piloted a survey of non-returning curricular students in fall 2004, and surveyed non-returning curricular and non-curricular students fall 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011. Responses to the survey provide valuable information about PVCC’s effectiveness and the extent to which the college has contributed to student success (i.e., attainment of education and job-related goals). The purpose of the Non-Returning Students study is to learn more about these students: who they are and how they may differ from returning students, how satisfied they are with their PVCC experience, where they are now, and the extent to which their PVCC experiences helped them meet their educational and job-related goals. Results add to our knowledge about controllable and uncontrollable attrition, and help us better identify students at risk for non-completion and pursue corrective actions to improve student retention and success.

Methodology

Survey

The entire population of non-returning students (2,917) were compiled in an excel file. Six hundred were randomly selected to receive the paper copy of the survey. These six hundred non-returning students were surveyed by mail using a one-page (front/back) survey patterned after other “former-student” questionnaires. (Appendices A and B contain the cover letters and survey). The remaining 2,317 students were sent an e-copy of the survey using their preferred email address from PeopleSoft. The survey requested information about students’ reasons for enrolling at PVCC, their reasons for leaving (including level of satisfaction/dissatisfaction with PVCC programs/services), current educational and employment status, and their plans for the future. The survey also requested descriptive data about former students (e.g., first-generation, current employment, and financial aid status).

Population

The population of students meeting the following criteria for non-returning were surveyed:

▪ Enrolled at PVCC in fall 2010 and/or spring 2011, were not enrolled at PVCC in fall 2011, and had not graduated in fall 2010 or in spring or summer 2011.

▪ Were not high school students (i.e., academic plan 041, 042, or 043), or students taking courses at correctional facilities.

Mailings and Response Rate

The initial paper copy survey mailing took place on October 21, 2011, with two follow-up mailings on November 14, 2011, and December 19, 2011. For the online surveys, the initial mailing took place on October 25, 2011 with one follow up on November 14, 2011. All surveys received by January 9, 2011, were included in the data set. Sixty-nine paper surveys and 157 e-surveys were returned, yielding response rates of 11.5% and 6.8%, respectively, with a total response rate of 7.7%. One hundred and twenty returned surveys were from curricular students and 106 were from non-curricular students.

Analysis

Survey data was entered into a Microsoft Excel worksheet. Quantitative data was then exported to SPSS for coding, cleaning and analysis. Qualitative data was analyzed by percentage of positive, negative, and neutral responses, and then by theme.

Respondent Characteristics

It is important to note how, if at all, respondents differ from non-respondents and the population as a whole. Respondents do differ from the sample and PVCC’s student population on demographics such as gender, ethnicity, and age.

Limitations of the Study

Results should be interpreted with caution since respondents differ from non-respondents and are not necessarily representative of the population of non-returning students.

Respondent Demographics

Table 1. Respondent Demographics

| | All |Curricular|Non-Curric|All |

| |Respondent|Respondent|ular |Non-Return|

| |s |s |Respondent|ing |

| | | |s |Students |

| | | | | |

|Female |74% |77% |72% |60% |

|Male |26% |23% |28% |40% |

| | | | | |

|White |80% |72% |90% |73% |

|African American |12% |19% |4% |17% |

|Other Minority |8% |9% |6% |10% |

| | | | | |

|Mean Age at time of survey |41 yrs |36 yrs |46 yrs |31 yrs |

| | | | | |

|First generation college student |37% |48% |25% |- |

| | | | | |

|Worked while attending PVCC |80% |82% |77% |- |

| | | | | |

|PVCC was first choice college |80% |78% |82% |- |

Student Intent

Respondents were asked to indicate all the reasons they enrolled in courses at PVCC, as well as the most important reason they enrolled. Tables 2 and 3 present results by curricular and non-curricular respondents.

Table 2. Comparison of Curricular & Non-Curricular Students’ Intent in Enrollment

|Reason for Enrolling |Curricular* |Non-Curricular* |

|Earn/pursue a degree from PVCC |44% |2% |

|Earn/pursue a certificate from PVCC |19% |7% |

|Earn credits that would transfer to another college |42% |22% |

|Explore career options |25% |15% |

|Upgrade current job skills/increase chances of raise or promotion |21% |26% |

|Develop skills for a new job |28% |16% |

|Pursue a personal interest or general knowledge |38% |56% |

|Other reason |7% |23% |

*Columns sum to greater than 100% because respondents could choose more than one reason.

Table 3. Comparison of Curricular & Non-Curricular Students’ Most Important Intent in Enrollment

|Most Important Reason for Enrolling |Curricular* |Non-Curricular* |

|Earn/pursue a degree from PVCC |26% |3% |

|Earn/pursue a certificate from PVCC |6% |4% |

|Earn credits that would transfer to another college |30% |17% |

|Explore career options |3% |6% |

|Upgrade current job skills/increase chances of raise or promotion |6% |9% |

|Develop skills for a new job |8% |6% |

|Pursue a personal interest or general knowledge |14% |41% |

|Other reason |5% |12% |

*Columns do not sum to 100% because missing values are not included.

Most curricular students enrolled to “earn/pursue a degree from PVCC”, “earn credits that would transfer to another college”, and/or “pursue a personal interest or general knowledge.” Most non-curricular students enrolled to “pursue a personal interest or general knowledge”. Respondents who indicated “other” when asked about their reasons for enrolling at PVCC specified the following: renewing teacher’s license or teacher recertification, fulfilling prerequisites for graduate school, or to meet new people.

Sixty-eight percent of all respondents reported achieving their “most important” goal as a result of their last enrollment at PVCC. Fifty-two percent of curricular students and 85% of non-curricular students reported achieving their “most important” goal as a result of their last enrollment at PVCC.

Reasons for Not Returning to PVCC

Respondents were asked to indicate all the reasons that contributed to their decision not to enroll, as well as the most important reason that contributed to their decision not to enroll at PVCC in fall 2011. Tables 4 and 5 represent results by curricular and non-curricular respondents. Respondents were also asked whether they have enrolled in fall 2011 classes at PVCC. No students indicated they have enrolled at PVCC fall 2011.

Table 4. Comparison of Curricular & Non-Curricular Students’ Reasons for Not Returning to PVCC

|Reason for Not Returning |Curricular* |Non-Curricular* |

|Achieved academic and/or job-related goals at PVCC |22% |44% |

|Transferred to another college |25% |13% |

|Did not have the financial resources to enroll |18% |7% |

|Could not work and attend college at the same time |15% |6% |

|Could not attend due to other responsibilities or personal problems |31% |13% |

|Dissatisfied with own academic performance/progress |7% |0% |

|Desired classes or programs were not available |12% |12% |

|Dissatisfied with the education at PVCC |9% |2% |

|Dissatisfied with services for students at PVCC |3% |0% |

|Dissatisfied with activities for students at PVCC |1% |0% |

|Unsure of own academic goals |7% |4% |

|PVCC just isn’t the right college for me |3% |1% |

|Other |23% |40% |

*Columns sum to greater than 100% because respondents could choose more than one reason.

After a sharp increase in 2009, the percentage of non-curricular students who indicated they “did not have the financial resources to enroll” and/or “could not work and attend college at the same time” has dropped back to the levels in 2007. These percents went from 8% and 5% in 2007 to 17% and 17% in 2009, back to 7% and 6%, respectively in 2011. Among curricular students, the opposite is true. The percentage of curricular students who indicated they “did not have the financial resources to enroll” decreased from 20% in 2007 to 6% in 2009, however, has jumped back up to 18% in 2011. The percentage of curricular students who indicated they “could not work and attend college at the same time” increased from 17% in 2007 to 26% in 2009 to the highest reported at 31% in 2011.

Table 5. Comparison of Curricular & Non-Curricular Students’ Most Important Reason for Not Returning to PVCC

|Most Important Reason for Not Returning |Curricular* |Non-Curricular* |

|Achieved academic and/or job-related goals at PVCC |8% |30% |

|Transferred to another college |20% |8% |

|Did not have the financial resources to enroll |12% |2% |

|Could not work and attend college at the same time |7% |5% |

|Could not attend due to other responsibilities or personal problems |15% |7% |

|Dissatisfied with own academic performance/progress |3% |0% |

|Desired classes or programs were not available |5% |5% |

|Dissatisfied with the education at PVCC |4% |1% |

|Dissatisfied with services for students at PVCC |0% |0% |

|Dissatisfied with activities for students at PVCC |0% |0% |

|Unsure of own academic goals |3% |3% |

|PVCC just isn’t the right college for me |0% |0% |

|Other |16% |32% |

*Column do not sum to 100% because missing values are not included.

Most curricular students indicated several reasons for not returning to PVCC fall 2011: “transferred to another college” (20%), “could not attend due to other responsibilities or personal problems” (15%), “achieved academic and/or job-related goals at PVCC” (8%), and “could not work and attend college at the same time” (7%). Most non-curricular students indicated “achieved academic and/or job-related goals at PVCC” (30%). The most important reasons for curricular and non-curricular students not returning were “achieved academic and/or job-related goals at PVCC” (31%) and “transferred to another college” (19%), respectively.

Fifty-three respondents (roughly 24%) listed “other” reasons for not returning. These included taking courses at another institution, scheduling conflicts, PVCC not offering courses I needed, not having time to enroll in courses, and moving out of the area.

Respondents who selected “classes I wanted were not available” were asked to list the courses they wanted to take. Twelve percent of respondents selected this choice. The courses they indicated were unavailable are: Accelerated Organic chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics, College Physics II, culinary Arts, Art Therapy, Medical Assistant, Higher Level of Spanish, Ornithology, Quantitative Analysis, Respiratory Therapy, Plant Propagation, and the follow up to Interactive Design.

Comparison of Top Reasons Students Did Not Return to PVCC over Five Years

(2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011)

Table 6 compares respondents’ reasons for not returning to PVCC over the five years the survey has been administered: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011. “Personal responsibilities/problems” have been a consistent highly-rated reason students decided not to enroll at PVCC in subsequent years. For the past four administrations of the Non-returning Students Survey, “achieved academic and/or job-related goals” has been ranked the highest reason for respondents not returning to PVCC.

Table 6. Comparison of Students’ Reason for Not Returning to PVCC over Five Years (2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, & 2011)

|Reason for Not Returning |Years of Comparison |

| |2004* |2005 |2007 |2009 |2011 |

|Transferred to another college |28% |23% |21% |24% |19% |

|Could not attend due to other responsibilities or |23% |27% |23% |27% |22% |

|personal problems | | | | | |

*Curricular only students.

Student Outcomes

Transfers: Nineteen percent of all respondents reported “transferred to another college” as a reason for not returning to PVCC. Twenty-eight percent of respondents indicated they are “currently enrolled at another college.” Of the 120 curricular respondents, 30 students (55%) reported transferring to and 29% (35 respondents) reported currently attending another college. Of the 106 non-curricular respondents, 13 students (12%) reported transferring to and 27% (29 respondents) reported being currently enrolled at another college. Respondents were asked to indicated the college they to which they transferred. Forty-seven students responded yielding the following top schools: University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Northern Virginia Community College, Old Dominion University, and Blue Ridge Community College.

Of the 14% of respondents who indicated transferring to another college as their reason for not returning to PVCC, 78% reported that their “studies are related to their coursework at PVCC”. Of the 28% of respondents who reported being currently enrolled in a college other than PVCC, 64% reported that their “studies are related to their coursework at PVCC”.

Stop-outs: The majority of non-transfer respondents are stop-outs rather than drop-outs. Fifty-three percent said they “plan to enroll in credit courses at PVCC in the future”, most in the spring or fall of 2012.

Employment: Sixty-nine percent of respondents reported being currently employed. Of these, 40% are working in a job related to their studies at PVCC. Among curricular students, 71% reported being currently employed, and of these, 38% were working in a job related to their program of study at PVCC. Among non-curricular students, 65% reported being currently employed, and of these, 42% were working in a job related to their studies at PVCC.

Goals: Though 68% of all respondents reported achieving their “most important” goal as a result of their last enrollment at PVCC, this outcome varied by financial aid and first generation status for curricular students. Sixty-five percent of respondents who “applied for, but did not receive financial aid” and 42% of students who “applied for and received financial aid” indicated they achieved their most important goal as a result of their enrollment at PVCC. Seventy-seven percent of respondents who “did not apply for financial aid” indicated they achieved their most important goal. Fifty-one of first generation respondents and 78% of non-first generation respondents reported achieving their “most important” goal as a result of their last enrollment at PVCC.

Respondents’ Comments

Respondents were invited to provide any comments or suggestions on how PVCC can improve its programs and services for students and any other aspects of their PVCC experience. Sixty-three percent of respondents provided comments on how PVCC can improve its programs and services for students. Almost half of the respondents’ comments were general comments and suggestions. These comments were neither negative nor positive; they simply provided feedback. About one third of the comments provided were positive. Slightly over one-fifth of the respondents’ comments were negative. Below is a sample of positive, negative, and general comments provided by respondents. Names have been removed from quotes.

Positive

|Theme |Actual Comments |

|Faculty & Staff |“The professors are all passionate about teaching and ensuring the success of all of their |

| |students.” |

| |“[Instructor, Art] is exceptional.” |

| |“The staff with whom I came into contact were courteous and helpful.” |

| |“Lots of great professors who always encourage me to pursue my educational program.” |

| |“I thought the teachers and advisors were all very good; better than many of my teachers at |

| |[transfer University]!” |

| |“Loved my professor. Instruction was top notch.” |

| |“[Instructor, Natural Sciences] is excellent at teaching, inspiring, and organizing his classes.”|

| |“[Instructor, Accounting] was a very effective and approachable professor. Make sure she sticks |

| |around.” |

| |“great library, good staff, great school!” |

| |“Thanks to my PVCC professors and the resources offered, I was accepted into my first choice |

| |school.” |

| |“The faculty were of a very high caliber.” |

Positive continued

|Theme |Actual Comments |

|General |“PVCC was a great place to further my education.” |

| |“I loved my experience at PVCC. The faculty, staff and students are a joy to be around.” |

| |“I love how PVCC is very genuine with all the students.” |

| |“PVCC is exceptional. Standards are high.” |

| |“I'm so glad PVCC is available. I have also used it for pottery classes. It is a great community |

| |resource.” |

| |“PVCC provided me with so much opportunity and access, it was amazing. Regular college just |

| |wasn't right for me, but PVCC was the perfect fit. I wish I could say I received my degree from |

| |PVCC.” |

| |“I really enjoyed the time I had spent in PVCC because it built up the essential skills for my |

| |college programs.” |

| |“It was a good environment for an adult who wanted a specific class. I met all my goals and more |

| |with my classes at PVCC.” |

| |“You’re doing a great job.” |

Negative

|Theme |Actual Comments |

|Enrollment and Advising |“Give accurate information regarding transfer requirements. I was given incorrect information |

| |about transferring to UVA from 5 different PVCC sources.” |

| |“I initially found the online enrollment process confusing and the offices weren't open to |

| |assist. When they were open, it was difficult to get through on the phone.” |

| |“I had difficulty enrolling in my course online because I had taken classes at another branch in |

| |1989 and that student ID was associated with my SSN. It took over a week to get that cleared up.”|

| |“It is VERY difficult if NOT IMPOSSIBLE for part time person to enroll on line for a class.” |

| | |

| | |

|Academic Rigor/ Curriculum | |

| |“I felt like the ____ classes were too easy, and only emphasized memorizing basic knowledge to |

| |pass multiple choice tests. I liked my professors and received an A in both ___ classes, but I |

| |just didn't feel like we really engaged with the material.” |

| |“After transferring to the University of Virginia, I feel that I was somewhat unprepared for the |

| |rigor of work at UVA. Assignments that got an A or B at PVCC are now C's and D's at UVA.” |

General Comments and Suggestions

|Theme |Actual Comments |

|Online offerings |“I would like to see more online classes.” |

| |“Offer smaller enrollment classes over the internet or some other means of completing the 2nd |

| |half of a course.” |

| |“It would be more convenient for students who work full-time to have access to more online |

| |classes.” |

|Course offerings, availability, and general |“Have more class sections available for full time working students.” |

|information | |

| |“Make sure that required classes for certifications are being offered each semester.” |

| |“More evening nursing courses for those who work the day shift.” |

| |“Recognize the potential for repeat enrollment in advanced art classes.” |

| |“More Natural History and Field Ornithology type courses, please.” |

| |“An automotive program would be nice so I don't have to travel to JSarg.” |

| |“Higher math classes” |

| |“Weekend classes (painting and drawing).” |

| |“Photoshop- offer a course." |

| |“I do not understand why PVCC does not offer a Respiratory Therapy program.” |

|General Suggestions |“I think helping to establish something like zimride for students to carpool would be better for |

| |the college community and for keeping the parking situation under control.” |

| |“Keep the Welcome center open longer.” |

| |“Contacting part-time instructional staff is a challenge; my phone calls and emails went |

| |unanswered” |

| |“Evening student awareness/engagement!” |

| |“I would encourage the new cafe to offer a few more vegetarian options” |

| |“Crack down on texting while in class, it's disrupting to those of us who are there to learn.” |

Implications

Students leave PVCC for many different reasons. Among the best of these reasons are the attainment of education and/or job-related goals and transferring to another college. A majority of non-returning students surveyed indicated they achieved their most important goal as a result of their last enrollment at PVCC. However 32% of all respondents indicated they did not achieve their most important goal upon their last enrollment at the College. Of the respondents who did not achieve their goal, their top reasons for not enrolling at PVCC fall 2011 were “did not have the financial resources,” “could not attend due to other responsibilities/personal problems,” and “did could not work and attend college at the same time.” This result has been consistent in all administrations of the survey: Financial need and other responsibilities keep students from returning to PVCC.

Additionally, roughly one third of respondents’ comments about PVCC were positive. The majority of the positive comments were about the greatness of faculty and staff and how much respondents love PVCC. Slightly less than half of the comments provided general suggestions for the college. The central themes of these comments were online and regular course offerings, course availability, general course information, and other suggestions related mostly to parking. About one-fifth of the responses were critical of PVCC’s core services and academics. These comments related mostly to academic advising/counseling and academic rigor. Many respondents plan to enroll in credit courses at PVCC in the future.

Students like PVCC, and many of those who have stopped-out want to return. However, students’ financial difficulties and their need for strong advising/counseling, present both a challenge and an opportunity for PVCC to stay connected with students who “stop out” and make every effort to bring them back to PVCC, enrolling them in the right program with support services to promote their success.

APPENDIX A

Survey Cover Letters

October 21, 2011

name

address 1

address 2

Dear [prefix] [lname],

As someone who has taken classes at Piedmont Virginia Community College, you can provide important feedback about the quality of our programs and services. In an effort to improve the PVCC experience, we are surveying individuals who attended the college during the 2010-11 academic year, but have not returned for the Fall 2011 term. From these surveys, we hope to learn more about our students and how we can help them meet their education, career, and personal goals.

Won’t you please take just a few minutes to complete the enclosed survey? Your responses will be confidential, and only aggregate data will be reported. If you have enrolled this Fall, or plan to enroll at PVCC in the future, your enrollment status will not be affected in any way by returning the survey.

If you have questions or comments about the survey, please contact Tara Atkins-Brady, Director of Institutional Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness at tatkins-brady@pvcc.edu or 434.961.5301.

A stamped, self-addressed envelope is enclosed for your convenience. Please return your survey by November 4, 2011.

I sincerely appreciate your participation in this important study, and look forward to receiving your completed survey.

Sincerely,

Frank Friedman

President

Enclosures

November 14, 2011

name

address 1

address 2

Dear [prefix] [lname],

As someone who has taken classes at Piedmont Virginia Community College, you can provide important feedback about the quality of our programs and services. In an effort to improve the PVCC experience, we are surveying individuals who attended the college during the 2010-11 academic year, but have not returned for the Fall 2011 term. From these surveys, we hope to learn more about our students and how we can help them meet their education, career, and personal goals.

Won’t you please take just a few minutes to complete the enclosed survey? Your responses will be confidential, and only aggregate data will be reported. If you have enrolled this Fall, or plan to enroll at PVCC in the future, your enrollment status will not be affected in any way by returning the survey.

If you have questions or comments about the survey, please contact Tara Atkins-Brady, Director of Institutional Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness at tatkins-brady@pvcc.edu or 434.961.5301.

A stamped, self-addressed envelope is enclosed for your convenience. Please return your survey by December 9, 2011.

I sincerely appreciate your participation in this important study, and look forward to receiving your completed survey.

Sincerely,

Frank Friedman

President

Enclosures

December 19, 2011

name

address 1

address 2

Dear [prefix] [lname],

As someone who has taken classes at Piedmont Virginia Community College, you can provide important feedback about the quality of our programs and services. In an effort to improve the PVCC experience, we are surveying individuals who attended the college during the 2010-11 academic year, but have not returned for the Fall 2011 term. From these surveys, we hope to learn more about our students and how we can help them meet their education, career, and personal goals.

Won’t you please take just a few minutes to complete the enclosed survey? Your responses will be confidential, and only aggregate data will be reported. If you have enrolled this Fall, or plan to enroll at PVCC in the future, your enrollment status will not be affected in any way by returning the survey.

If you have questions or comments about the survey, please contact Tara Atkins-Brady, Director of Institutional Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness at tatkins-brady@pvcc.edu or 434.961.5301.

A stamped, self-addressed envelope is enclosed for your convenience. Please return your survey by January 13, 2011.

I sincerely appreciate your participation in this important study, and look forward to receiving your completed survey.

Sincerely,

Frank Friedman

President

Enclosures

APPENDIX B

Survey

Recent Student Survey

As a recent PVCC student, you can provide important feedback about the quality of our programs and services. Please help us improve the PVCC student experience by answering the questions on the front and back of this page. Your answers are confidential. Results of the survey will only be reported in aggregate, and your name will not be associated with any of your answers. Please return your survey in the enclosed envelope by November 4, 2011.

| |1. The last time you enrolled in courses at |2. Which of these goals was most |

| |PVCC, why did you enroll? Check ALL that |important to you when you last enrolled|

| |apply |at PVCC? Check ONLY ONE |

|Earn a degree from PVCC |( |( |

|Earn a certificate from PVCC |( |( |

|Earn credits that would transfer to another college |( |( |

|Explore career options |( |( |

|Upgrade current job skills and/or increase my chances of a|( |( |

|raise or promotion | | |

|Develop skills for a new job |( |( |

|Pursue a personal interest or general knowledge |( |( |

|Other (please list) |( |( |

|________________________________ | | |

|(other reason) | | |

3. Did you achieve this goal as a result of your enrollment at PVCC? ( Yes ( No

4. Was PVCC your first-choice college? ( Yes ( No

5. Are you a first-generation college student? ( Yes ( No

(You are a first generation student if neither of your

parents has completed a college degree.)

6. Did you work while attending PVCC? ( Yes ( No

7. Did you apply for financial aid (e.g., scholarships, grants, or loans) in order

to attend PVCC?

( Yes, I applied for and received financial aid.

( Yes, I applied for financial aid but did not receive it.

( No, I did not apply for financial aid.

[000103] Please answer the questions on the back of this page. OVER (

|Our student records indicate that you attended PVCC in 2010-11, but have not|8. Please check all the reasons that |9. Which of these reasons was the|

|enrolled in courses for credit at PVCC this semester. If you have enrolled |contributed to your decision not to |most important in your decision |

|in Fall 2011 credit courses at PVCC, please check the last box for question |enroll at PVCC this semester. |not to enroll at PVCC this |

|#8 and skip question #9. | |semester? |

| |Check ALL that apply |Check ONLY ONE |

| |( |( |

|I achieved my academic and/or job-related goals at PVCC | | |

| |( |( |

|I transferred to another college. Which one? | | |

|__________________________________________ | | |

|(college name) | | |

|I did not have the financial resources to enroll. |( |( |

|I could not work and attend college at the same time. |( |( |

|I could not attend college due to other responsibilities or personal |( |( |

|problems. | | |

|My academic performance/progress was not satisfactory. |( |( |

|The classes or programs I wanted were not available. Which ones? |( |( |

|__________________________________________ | | |

|(list classes here) | | |

|I was dissatisfied with the education I was receiving at PVCC. |( |( |

|I was dissatisfied with the services for students at PVCC. |( |( |

|I was dissatisfied with the activities for students at PVCC. |( |( |

|I wasn’t really sure of my academic goals. |( |( |

|PVCC just isn’t the right college for me. Please explain: |( |( |

|Other (please explain): |( |( |

|*I have enrolled in Fall ’11 classes at PVCC |( | |

10. Do you plan to enroll in credit courses at PVCC in the future? ( Yes ( No

11. If “Yes”, when? Term: ( Spring ( Summer ( Fall Year 20__ __

12. Are you currently enrolled in a college other than PVCC? ( Yes ( No

13. If “Yes”, are your studies related to your coursework at PVCC? ( Yes ( No

14. If “No” do you plan to enroll in a college other than PVCC? ( Yes ( No

15. Are you currently employed? ( Yes ( No

16. If “Yes”, is your job related to your program of study at PVCC? ( Yes ( No

17. How can PVCC improve its programs and services for students?

18. Additional comments or suggestions concerning any aspect of your PVCC experience:

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