Perceptions of Recent Graduates and Employers about Undergraduate Programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University: A Follow-up Study

NACTA Journal, Mar 2004 by Suvedi, Murari, Heyboer, Gwyn

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the undergraduate programs within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University. The specific areas within the study included educational programs, quality of instruction, academic advising, extra-curricular activities and employment information. The target population of the study was comprised of 3,400 CANR bachelor's degree graduates from summer semester 1993 through spring semester 1998. Two questionnaires were designed for the study - one for the alumni and one for their employers.

Findings of this study provide indications for improvement. Alumni were very satisfied with their courses, however, they indicated that they needed more preparation in the areas of computer skills and knowledge of career opportunities. Academic advisors were also rated highly in terms of academic advising; yet the alumni indicated a need for improvement in career advising. Extracurricular activities were a very positive aspect of the graduates' educational experience, and one they found useful in preparation for employment. Employers rated the alumni highly in terms of preparation by the college and their career performance. However, both the employers and alumni suggested mathematics, computer skills and writing skills as areas needing improvement.

Introduction

Educators, administrators, employers and students have discussed the topic of improving agricultural undergraduate programs at major universities for many years. As the agricultural industry changes over time, the educational systems pertaining to agriculture and related subjects must not fall behind. Several reports have indicated the need for change in the curricula of agricultural programs (Kunkel et al., 1996; W.K. Kellogg Foundation, n.d.).

Michigan State University (MSU) formed the Council to Review Undergraduate Education (CRUE) in 1988 to look into quality issues of undergraduate education. It evaluated and recommended changes from an analysis of not only the undergraduate admissions and graduation requirements but also the character and content of the undergraduate education at MSU (CRUE, 1988). Following the CRUE report, department chairpersons in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) recommended that a college-wide task force be assembled to review undergraduate programs. The Task Force for Curricular Revitalization compiled many recommendations to improve the quality of undergraduate programs within the college (Heinze, 1989).

The conceptual framework of this study was based on the challenge set forth by the WK. Kellogg Foundation in its report "Visions of Change in Higher Education," which describes the efforts of 13 project teams across the United States to rethink the relationship between higher education and society. The report points out the need to find out whether undergraduate teaching programs of land-grant universities are still relevant to employers. Currently, universities are being challenged to improve undergraduate education, to achieve more balance between research and teaching, to globalize student learning, to create a more diverse student population, to re-examine fundamental values and to affirm that education is their primary mission (WK. Kellogg Foundation, n.d.). These challenges should serve as an input for educational reform efforts. The workforce is continually reorganizing, and graduates should possess the knowledge and skills required by the industry of today.

Robson et al, (1986); Flores, (1996) and O'Malley, (1992) used follow-up studies of alumni to assess how well an academic institution has met its objectives. The present study was designed to provide feedback for curricular improvements in the CANR at MSU. It was based on the assumption that the experiences of past students during their undergraduate education, and the perceptions of their current employers regarding their educational preparation, could provide insights to improve the academic offerings of the CANR. The results of this study will ensure that the educational process is responsive to both the learners and the industry.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the CANR undergraduate programs as perceived by alumni and employers. Specifically, the objectives of this study included:

1. Assess the perceptions of alumni toward the educational programs of the CANR, including courses taken and educational preparation.

2. Explore the opinions of the alumni about the quality of instruction received within the college.

3. Ascertain the opinions of alumni about their academic advising.

4. Determine whether the alumni found participation in extracurricular activities useful in relation to their current employment.

5. seek the opinions of employers about the graduates' preparation by the college and their career performance.

Materials and Methods

Population and Sample

The target population of the study comprised of CANR bachelor's degree graduates from summer semester 1993 through spring semester 1998. A list of 3,400 graduates from all departments within the college was developed. A stratified random sample of 1,269 graduates was used in the study. The strata were proportional to the size of the 12 academic departments within the CANR.