Student Interactions with Faculty

Students learn firsthand how experts think about and solve practical problems by interacting with faculty members inside and outside the classroom. As a result, their teachers become role models, mentors, and guides for continuous, life-long learning.

The 2007 NSSE report indicated that Saint Michael's students develop meaningful relationships with their professors. Of the first-year students who responded to the survey, 61 percent said their faculty are available, helpful and sympathetic. By their senior year, 25 percent of the students surveyed said they have done research with a faculty member, and 96 percent have discussed their career plans with faculty.

Overall, the NSSE survey uses the benchmark items listed below to establish its comparison report on student-faculty interaction for each of the participating institutions. To the right is a graph depicting how the seniors surveyed at Saint Michael's compare to seniors at all NSSE schools on the following criteria:

  • Discussed grades or assignments with an instructor
  • Talked about career plans with a faculty member or advisor
  • Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with faculty members outside of class
  • Worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework (committees, orientation, student-life activities, etc.)
  • Received prompt written or oral feedback from faculty on your academic performance
  • Worked with a faculty member on a research project outside of course or program requirements

Learn more student interaction with faculty at Saint Michael's on our academic advising and faculty/student research pages.