Program Assessment
Assessment Projects
Messina conducts annual assessments related to our Messina Learning Outcomes. From 2012-2014 all aspects of our learning outcomes were generally assessed. From Fall 2015 through Spring 2023, we began a cyclical look at our learning outcomes through the lens of data collection as follows:
- 2019-2020 and 2015-2016: Jesuit Mission and Values
- 2020-2021 and 2016-2017: Critical Understanding
- 2021-2022 and 2017-2018: Connections to Loyola Community
- 2022-2023 and 2018-2019: Integrated Learning
Starting in Fall 2023, we conducted a review of the first two cycles (results of this meta-assessment available upon request). In the next phase, we will implement a modified version of this cycle to explore in more detail those aspects of our learning outcomes related to: elements of high impact practices, students' residential experience (including theme integration and integrated learning), and practices of reflection and discernment surrounding Loyola's core values.
Below is a list of previous assessment projects for general review. While the reports are lengthy, most include an executive summary (about 1-3 pages long) in the beginning of the report that provides an overview of the findings. Questions about these reports should be directed to Sarah Lewis, Associate Director of Messina, at selewis@loyola.edu or 410-617-1188.
Current Assessment Cycle
Messina 2024-2025 Mid-Year Student Survey
Fall 2024
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in
Messina during the fall semester related to Experience of Theme, Common Text, and
Working Group Feedback. This survey also explores student views of Loyola Core Values
and their experiences of high impact practices within Messina.
Messina 2023-2024 Mid-Year Student Survey
Fall 2023
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in
Messina during the fall semester. Due to the administration of the NSSE survey in
spring 2024, this was an abbreviated version of our mid-year assessment, focusing
on sections related to Experience of Theme, Common Text, Working Group Feedback, and
survey completion rates for the purposes of recommendations for the following cycle.
Assessment Cycle: 2019-2023
Messina 2022-2023 Mid-Year Student Survey
Fall 2022
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in
Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on Integrated Learning.
Messina 2021-2022 End of Year Student Survey
Spring 2022
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in
Messina during the spring semester with an emphasis on connections to the Loyola community,
and sense of belonging.
Messina 2021-2022 Mid-Year Student Survey
Fall 2021
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in
Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on connections to the Loyola community,
and sense of belonging.
Messina 2020-2021 End of Year Student Survey
Spring 2021
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in
Messina during the spring semester with an emphasis on critical understanding, connections
to the Loyola community, and our Commitment to Anti-Racism.
Messina 2020-2021 Mid-Year Student Survey
Fall 2020
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in
Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on critical understanding, connections
to the Loyola community, and our Commitment to Anti-Racism.
Messina 2019-2020 Mid-Year Student Survey
Fall 2019
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in
Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on connections to the Loyola community;
and student understanding, experience, and engagement with the practice of discernment
and reflection.
Assessment Cycle: 2015-2019
Messina Study on Integrated Learning
Fall 2018-Spring 2019
All first-year students were invited to participate in a Pre-Test and Post-Test related
to their practice of Integrative Learning. Additionally, some students also completed
a reflective assignment related to this topic scored using the AAC&U Integrative Learning VALUE Rubric. The link above provides a copy of our Executive Summary.
Please note: Members of the Loyola community can access the full report digitally. Due to this project also being a part of a larger multi-institutional research study,
non-Loyola community members should email Mary Ellen Wade regarding inquiries for the complete project report.
Messina Sophomore Interviews
Spring 2018
Students in the class of 2020 were invited to take part in interviews examining differences
between the first year and sophomore year both academically and personally, elements
covered in Messina that were beneficial beyond the first year experience and suggestions
for growth, differences in the Messina course structure as compared to non-Messina
courses, and essential topics covered in the spring semester. Additionally, a written
part of these interviews included reflections on developing sense of belonging in
the first year.
Messina 2018 Senior Focus Group
Spring 2018
Students in the class of 2018 who were a part of the first 2/3 of students in Messina
were invited to take part in a focus group to examine elements of their Messina experience,
including elements covered in Messina that were beneficial beyond the first year experience
and suggestions for growth.
Messina 2017-2018 Mid-Year Student Survey
Fall 2017
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in
Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on connections to the Loyola community,
campus resources, and sense of belonging.
Messina 2016-2017 End of Year Student Survey
Spring 2017
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed how Messina learning
outcomes related to Critical Understanding were experienced both in Messina and throughout
the first year by students.
Messina 2017 Senior Focus Group
Spring 2017
Students in the class of 2017 who were a part of the first 1/3 of students in Messina
were invited to take part in a focus group to examine elements of their Messina experience,
including elements covered in Messina that were beneficial beyond the first year experience
and suggestions for growth.
Messina 2016-2017 Mid-Year Student Survey
Fall 2016
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in
Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on connections to the Loyola community,
campus resources, and opportunities for student intellectual engagement.
Discernment and Reflection Data Findings Visualization
Spring 2016
A two page compilation of findings about questions related to discernment and reflection
asked in the 2015-2016 End of Year Student Survey.
Messina 2015-2016 End of Year Student Survey
Spring 2016
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in
Messina during the spring semester with an emphasis on examining student understanding,
experience, and engagement with the practice of discernment and reflection.
Discernment Data Findings Visualization
Fall 2015
A one page compilation of findings about questions related to discernment asked in
the 2015-2016 Mid-Year Student Survey.
Messina 2015-2016 Mid-Year Student Survey
Fall 2015
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in
Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on connections to the Loyola community,
campus resources, and student understanding, experience, and engagement with the practice
of discernment and reflection.
Pilot and General Assessment: 2012-2015
Messina 2014-2015 End of Year Student Survey
Spring 2015
Administered only to first-year students participating in Messina during the spring
semester, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the spring and
provided an opportunity to share reflections on their first year.
Messina 2014-2015 Mid-Year Student Survey
Fall 2014
Administered to both first-year students participating in Messina as well as those
participating in Loyola 101 [program phased out in Fall 2015], this survey reviewed
the first-year student experience at Loyola, including program participation-specific
questions.
Messina 2013-2014 End of Year Student Survey
Spring 2014
Administered only to first-year students participating in Messina during the spring
semester, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the spring and
provided an opportunity to share reflections on their first year.
Messina 2013-2014 Mid-Year Student Survey
Fall 2013
Administered only to first-year students participating in Messina during the fall
semester, this survey reviewed the first-year student experience at Loyola, including
questions specifically related to participation within Messina.
Messina 2012-2013 Honors Pilot Survey Findings
Fall 2012
Administered to first-year students in the Honors Program who served as a pilot Messina
cohort.
