University of Nebraska Kearney

Honors Program Assessment Report: 2004: Alumni Survey Results and Commentary 

Submitted Spring, 2004:
   Alumni Survey Results and Commentary 

(taken from 2003 survey-these responses are selected to focus on H-Options and Senior Studies):

109 Respondents 

Respondent holds an advanced college degree: 

"How effective was the H-Option in allowing for better mentoring relationships with faculty?" 

"To what extent were you satisfied with the opportunities for in-depth study provided?" 

"How effective was the Honors Program in preparing you for graduate study (if applicable)?" 

"How was the Honors Program in preparing you for employment?" 

"How effective was the Honors Program in improving your critical thinking skills?" 

"How effective was the Honors Program in improving your problem-solving skills?" 

"To what extent were you satisfied with the overall quality of your education at UNK?" 

"To what extent were you satisfied with the overall quality of your education in your major?" 

Strengths: 

"The Program pushed me to study more in-depth subject matter."

"Several professors became incredible mentors."

"Excellent professors added element to college experience."

"I was part of the inaugural Honors class so it was in its infancy. However, I found the smaller classes and more challenging material very stimulating. As compared with Harvard Law School (which has large classes), the classroom instruction and atmosphere was extremely conducive to open discussions and fostered a sense of community."

"H-Options gave me great opportunity to study into my major."

"The greater demands presented by the Honors instructors dramatically increased the quality of my educational experience at UNK. I attribute it with making what would have been a par education, to one that was above par. At the University of Michigan MBA program, I had classmates from Ivy League schools, the military academics, and other highly respected schools. If it were not for the Horizon's Program [now the Honors Program] I question if I would have been ready to compete in this environment."

"The Honors Program was a great opportunity to work with some of the best staff at UNK. The courses were tough and pushed me much harder than the regular classes. The Honors Program is a large part of what makes me look back and feel like I got a good education at UNK."

"Instructors. Advisors. Devotion to a higher standard."

"The H-Option courses are a terrific challenge, a way to meet other Honors students, and to get connected with UNK's best and brightest faculty members."

"The final project/senior study-I'll admit I hated doing it at the time, but it was an invaluable learning tool."

"I very much liked the option to choose classes within my major and alter them to become honors courses."

"It's important that students have classes where excellence is expected. This was always the case with my honors classes. Being among the 'best' of the best is great preparation for corporate life."

Weaknesses: 

"I kind of felt like, because I was not preparing for graduate school or any advanced degrees, that I was overlooked as far as career planning and even guidance on my major."

"I knew of some classmates that dropped out of the Honors Program because they could not afford to risk their GPA for 'enrichment subject areas.' A pre-med classmate worked very hard in all Pre-Med classes, achieved a 4.0 then received a B in an honors class for fine arts. Did this hurt in Med School apps?...probably. Never make an honors student make that kind of decision."

"The H-Option courses were really no different than what the other students were doing in the course, other than having to do another extra assignment (busy work)."

"At the time I was in the program, I did not feel that faculty who taught the upper level courses really knew what the expectations of an H-Option course was."

"Suggestions would be move cross discipline classes, classes in leadership, development, business, strategic planning, career advancement mentoring. . .
The overall goal would be by graduating from the honors program a student would have leadership skills and a deeper understanding that would clearly indicate a 'distinctly different' and advanced education."

"Keep a firm focus on higher level thinking, writing, researching, and reflecting. These skills are so key when completing Masters and Doctoral level work."

"I did do an Honors thesis and think this is a very important facet of the Honors experience. When I did my thesis, I, however, worked only with one professor. I think it would be valuable for honors theses to be read by one or two more professors (for students to get a sense of what graduate school work may be like). Also, if the possibility for special internships are available this could be a possible substitute for thesis work (recognizing grad. School is not the end for which all students are working)."