Barton Community College’s Vice President of Student Services Angie Maddy recently shared her annual monitoring report on the “Barton Experience.” The majority of staff and students had positive feedback about student services, the campus climate/environment, and the overall educational experience at Barton.
“Our hope is that the Barton Experience is a good one – for students, employees and the community,” Maddy said.
To receive feedback from a cross-representation of the Barton Community, the college relies on a student services survey deployed each fall; graduation exit surveys in the summer, fall and spring; the Noel Levitz Survey every other spring in odd years; climate surveys for students and employees every other spring in even years, and a Pace Survey every other year in odd years.
There were 610 responses to the graduation exit surveys over the past year. When asked, “Would you recommend Barton to another person?” 98% answered “yes” and “2%” answered no.
When asked how they rated the overall educational experience at Barton, 48% said it exceeded their expectations and 51% said it met their expectations. Less than 1% said it did not meet their expectations.
When asked, “How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the overall campus climate/environment that you have experienced at Barton Community College within the last 12 months,” 84% of employees' responses and 77% of students' responses were “satisfied;” 0% of employees and 7% of students were “dissatisfied.”
Asked if they agree or disagree with the statement, “I am treated with respect at Barton, 91% of the employees and 90% of the students agreed; 0% of employees and 3% of students disagreed.
Maddy shared a few of the positive student comments from the survey:
• “I have truly enjoyed my time at Barton.”
• “I really liked the way they helped me and how they guided/explained things that I, as a first person to go to college in my family, would not have known.”
• Six months before attending Barton, I was a high school dropout. After completing the Adult Diploma Program, I started at Barton unsure of where it would take me. Thanks to Barton, I am now moving forward with a degree and looking forward to earning a Master’s degree in a field I am passionate about. I am incredibly thankful for this school and all the staff members who helped me along the way.”
Graduating students are also asked to name employees who made a difference in their lives. Last year 10 employees were nominated for the Barton Difference Award. The May 2024 winner was Jessica Fullen, an adjunct instructor at the Fort Leavenworth Campus. One student said, “Mrs. Fullen is the best teacher I have ever had. She always interacted with students, had a class schedule, and knew what she was talking about. She is available to ask for advice, and you will always get an answer for your situation, not a generic answer.”
Barton President Dr. Marcus Garstecki commented, “This is why we do what we do. We impact people and it changes their lives.”
How data is used
Maddy said the college assesses student and employee feedback and uses the data to make decisions for improvement. This is most useful if there are specific suggestions. For example, comments about the cafeteria said students wanted more fruit options at breakfast.
