Learner Outcomes Assessment Portfolio

Results of First Survey of Alumni

During the summer of 2004, the first alumni survey of the new NREM departmental outcomes was conducted. Sixty-two undergraduate alumni who graduated in 2001, and forty-four undergraduate alumni who graduated in 1998 were contacted and asked to return a survey on accomplishment of outcomes. Each alum was asked to rank how well they believed their education had prepared them to accomplish each of the ten outcomes. They were also asked to indicate how important each of the outcomes was in their current employment situation. A five-point scale was used to evaluate their preparedness:

  1. Very Poorly Prepared
  2. Moderately Poorly Prepared
  3. Average
  4. Moderately Well Prepared
  5. Very Well Prepared

A five point scale was also used to assess how important each outcome is to the successful performance of their current job.

  1. Not Important
  2. Moderately Unimportant
  3. Neutral
  4. Moderately Important
  5. Very Important

Each of the objectives is listed below. The average response for preparedness is listed along with the average response for importance of the outcome. In addition, the percentage of respondents ranking their preparedness as 3 or above is listed, along with the percentage of respondents ranking the outcome as moderately unimportant to not important.

  1. Develop, explain and evaluate their own beliefs, values and behavior in relation to professional and societal standards of ethics.
    • Average Preparedness: 3.94
    • % of responses 3 or above: 97%
    • Average Importance: 4.06
    • % of responses 2 or below: 8%
  2. Anticipate, analyze and evaluate natural resource issues and explain the ecological, economic, and social consequences of natural resource actions at various scales and over time.
    • Average Preparedness: 4.09
    • % of responses 3 or above: 97%
    • Average Importance: 3.86
    • % of responses 2 or below: 20%
  3. Actively seek the input and perspectives of diverse stakeholders regarding natural resource problems and issues.
    • Average Preparedness: 3.69
    • % of responses 3 or above: 86%
    • Average Importance: 3.66
    • % of responses 2 or below: 23%
  4. Assess, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information fairly and objectively.
    • Average Preparedness: 4.14
    • % of responses 3 or above: 97%
    • Average Importance: 4.53
    • % of responses 2 or below: 0%
  5. Work effectively, both individually and with others, on complex, value-laden natural resource problems that require holistic problem solving approaches.
    • Average Preparedness: 4.17
    • % of responses 3 or above: 97%
    • Average Importance: 3.80
    • % of responses 2 or below: 17%
  6. Formulate and evaluate alternative solutions to complex problems and recommend and defend best alternatives.
    • Average Preparedness: 3.97
    • % of responses 3 or above: 97%
    • Average Importance: 4.42
    • % of responses 2 or below: 3%
  7. Communicate clearly and effectively with different types of audiences using appropriate oral, visual, electronic, and written techniques.
    • Average Preparedness: 4.33
    • % of responses 3 or above: 97%
    • Average Importance: 4.64
    • % of responses 2 or below: 0%
  8. Recognize and interpret resource problems across spatial scales from local to global.
    • Average Preparedness: 3.71
    • % of responses 3 or above: 91%
    • Average Importance: 3.43
    • % of responses 2 or below: 26%
  9. Appreciate cultural diversity and understand the impact of the global distribution of people and wealth on natural resource use and valuation.
    • Average Preparedness: 3.74
    • % of responses 3 or above: 89%
    • Average Importance: 3.49
    • % of responses 2 or below: 23%
  10. Exercise life-long learning skills developed before graduation.
    • Average Preparedness: 4.14
    • % of responses 3 or above: 97%
    • Average Importance: 4.47
    • % of responses 2 or below: 3%

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