News
Institutional Effectiveness
As faculty and staff at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, we are always seeking ways to improve the student experience. The Office of Institutional Research and Planning is administering the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) to ALL first-year students and Seniors from March 16 to April 29, and we need your help to encourage student participation.
What is NSSE?
NSSE is a trusted instrument used across the nation for assessing the quality of undergraduate education and student engagement. When students complete a survey, this information provides diagnostic and actionable information that will foster and catalyze evidence-based improvement efforts. The results of this survey will help us gain an in-depth look at the student experience to better facilitate unique learning opportunities, gain insight on opportunities and threats to student retention and completion, understand how engagement has changed and how students have adapted since the previous administration, and so much more!
How can you help?
We are asking faculty and staff who engage with first-year students and seniors to encourage them to check their e-mails for the NSSE survey link and to complete the survey. Please let them know that we carefully review and consider all feedback received through this survey.
You can also help us advertise our incentives! Students who complete the survey by Friday, April 29th will be automatically entered in a random drawing by class to win:
FIRST-YEAR Students: iPad ($329 value), a pair of Air Pods ($129 value), a UNCW branded blanket ($40 value - 5 chances), or UNCW Seahawks Bucks ($5 - 60 chances).
SENIORS: Diploma Frame ($199 value - 2 chances), a UNCW branded blanket worth ($30 value - 5 chances), or a UNCW coffee mug ($20 - 10 chances).
Chances of winning for students depend on how many completed the survey; the last time we administered this survey about 1,451 students responded: 628 first year students; 823 seniors.
We hope to improve upon our 2026 overall response rates and hear from more students about their UNCW experience. Your help in getting students to provide feedback through this survey today will empower future Seahawks.
Spring 2026 upcoming Institutional Effectiveness training opportunities include assessment topics and university technologies. Please review the schedule below and click on the link to register.
Assessment Topics for Faculty and Staff with Assessment Responsibilities |
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For Educational Program Assessment Coordinators |
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Date/Time |
Topic |
Duration |
Facilitators |
Link to Register/Attend |
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Tuesday, February 24, 2025, 12:00 PM |
Planning & Self Study Refresher |
One hour |
Terrell Bryant |
Link to Register |
| Thursday, March 26, 12:00 PM | Planning & Self Study Canvas Integration | One hour | Terrell Bryant | Link to Register |
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Wednesday, April 1, 12:00 PM |
Creating an Effective Measure |
One hour |
Joyce Bahhouth, Kris Byrd and Jennifer McBride |
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| Monday, April 13, 12:00 PM |
Writing Analysis of Results |
One hour |
Joyce Bahhouth, Kris Byrd and Jennifer McBride |
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For Administrative Unit Assessment Coordinators |
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| Tuesday, March 24, 12:00 PM | Planning & Self Study Refresher | One hour | Terrell Bryant | Link to Register |
| Tuesday, April 7, 12:00 PM | Completing your Administrative Unit Assessment Report | One hour | Terrell Bryant | Link to Register |
| Thursday, May 14, 1:00 PM | Completing your Administrative Unit Assessment Report | One hour | Terrell Bryant | Link to Join |
For Faculty and Staff - Watermark Faculty Success |
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Wednesday, February 11 Session 1, 9:10-10:00 Session 2, 10:10-11:00 Session 3, 11:10-12:00 Session 4, 12:10-1:00 |
Fundamentals of Watermark Faculty Success Help Session | 50-Minute Sessions | Dave Roberts | Link to Register |
| Thursday, February 12 Session 1, 1:10-2:00 Session 2, 2:10-3:00 Session 3, 3:10-4:00 | Fundamentals of Watermark Faculty Success Help Session | 50-Minute Sessions | Dave Roberts | Link to Register |
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Tuesday, February 24 Session 1, 3:10-4:00 |
Fundamentals of Watermark Faculty Success Help Session |
One Hour Session |
Dave Roberts |
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Tuesday, March 10, Session 1: 9:00 AM |
End of Year Faculty Workload Plan Help |
One hour Session |
Dave Roberts |
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Tuesday, March 10, Session 2: 2:00 PM |
End of Year Faculty Workload Plan Help |
One hour Session |
Dave Roberts |
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Wednesday, March 11, 3:30 PM |
End of Year Faculty Workload Plan Help | One hour Session | Dave Roberts | Link to Register |
For Instructors - Blue Course Evaluations |
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| Monday, February 2, 2:00-3:00 | Preparing Your Course Evaluation for Administration | One hour | Mike Wang | Link to Register |
| Wednesday, February 4, 10:00-11:00 | Preparing Your Course Evaluation for Administration | One hour | Mike Wang | Link to Register |
| March 23, 2:00-3:00 | Preparing your Course Evaluation for Administration | One hour | Mike Wang | Link to Register |
| March 24, 10:00 AM | Preparing your Course Evaluation for Administration | One hour | Mike Wang | Link to Register |
Akanksha Sharma will be joining our team as a Data Analytics Specialist, beginning May 11!
Akanksha brings a strong background in data analytics, business intelligence, and strategic reporting, with over seven years of experience supporting data-driven decision-making across multiple sectors. Her work has consistently focused on translating complex data into actionable insights for stakeholders.
In her most recent roles, Akanksha has worked on sustainability analytics, predictive workforce forecasting, and large-scale data transformation initiatives, experience that will be highly valuable as we continue to advance our analytical capabilities.
Outside of work, Akanksha loves being near the water -- she enjoys scuba diving and water sports, so Wilmington already feels like the perfect fit! She's also looking forward to exploring the local food scene and is always happy to chat over coffee -- feel free to say hello.