General Campus Climate Assessment

Why is Kent State conducting an Engagement & Well-Being Survey?

• The campus climate at Kent State shapes the lives of all of us - students, staff, and faculty. Understanding deeply the varied experiences of our community is a critical part of continuing to improve how we work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable campus environment. That is the goal of the Kent State Engagement & Well-Being Survey.
• The idea to conduct an engagement and well-being survey assessment originated from senior leaders who believed data from such a survey might be useful in planning for the future and improving the environment for students, faculty, and staff at Kent State.
• This qualitative and quantitative research effort will allow us to better understand the experiences of our community. We know from the research that thriving campus climates contribute directly to overall success for students, staff, and faculty. This information will help us better understand how members of the staff community experience their environment. This is an opportunity for you to ensure your voice is part of this effort.
• We seek a campus climate grounded in mutual respect, nurtured by dialogue, and evidenced by a pattern of civil interaction. We actively foster an environment characterized by openness, fairness, and equal access for all students, staff, and faculty.
• Therefore, the question we are asking ourselves is: How can Kent State collect actionable data to ensure we are a community environment that respects community member’s individual needs, abilities, and potential?
• Ensuring inclusive and equitable campus experiences for all members of the Kent State community requires us to deeply listen and understand these often disparate experiences.
• A transparent, holistic, and confidential assessment is an important opportunity to engage, learn, and act to further enhance the Kent State community experience.

What is “Engagement” and why is it important?

• Engagement is defined as experiences that are demonstrated by how students, faculty, and staff think, feel, and act, as well as how they feel about Kent State's environment and policies, which influence how they feel toward the organization.
• It is well researched that community engagement influences the levels to which student, faculty and staff members thrive. For example, when staff feel they have a “sense of engagement,” they report higher levels of perceived sense of purpose, motivation, and enthusiasm. They have a positive mental and emotional state, leading to higher job satisfaction, reduced stress levels, and improved overall health.