Dashboards, Response Rates, and Data Sharing at Ohio University
By: Steven Feldman, NSSE Institute Graduate Assistant
Ohio University has been a long-time participant in the National Survey of Student Engagement, and in recent years, the institution has taken significant steps to make its data more transparent, accessible, and actionable. After noticing that NSSE data was not being widely used across campus, staff in Institutional Effectiveness & Analytics began reimagining how results were shared. Suzette Burlingame, Associate Director for Assessment Systems & Analytics, built on an existing Tableau dashboard framework their office had previously used, adding new features and updating content to reflect more recent survey items, such as sense of belonging. These dashboards were designed with a variety of users in mind, incorporating feedback from Student Affairs, academic units, and other stakeholders to ensure the data was not only available but also easy to interpret and apply.
Rather than presenting raw tables or complex datasets, the dashboards now include interactive tabs tailored to specific themes like experiential learning and sense of belonging. Filters for student groups such as Pell recipients and first-generation students were added, and terminology was adapted to match campus language. For example, “High-Impact Practices” was renamed “Experiential Learning” to better resonate with students and staff. The dashboards also include explanatory notes and info bubbles to help users understand what they’re seeing. This user-centered approach has made it easier for practitioners to find relevant data and use it to inform decisions. One notable example is the university’s decision to make tutoring services free after identifying low scores in academic support. Joni Wadley, Senior Director of Institutional Effectiveness, shared that “Previously, students had to pay for tutoring, and that became a free service. When we reassessed in 2023 using NSSE, our scores went up for that.” That’s just one example of how data directly informed a campus-wide change.
Ohio University chose to make its dashboards publicly accessible, believing that transparency supports institutional improvement. While the dashboards do not display raw data files, users can download visual summaries and explore trends interactively. This openness has encouraged departments to use the data for strategic planning and program development. In addition to the NSSE-specific dashboard, the team at OHIO has also created several integrated dashboards that combine data from multiple sources, including alumni and employer surveys. These dashboards present a holistic view of topics like critical thinking, showing what students, alumni, and employers say, all on one page (see Figure 1). Acronyms and survey names were removed from the interface to simplify navigation, with source details available in footnotes, making it easier for a variety of user types to understand.
Figure 1: Integrated Dashboard for OHIO Gen Ed Assessment
The university also achieved a nearly 30% response rate in its 2023 NSSE administration, a notable accomplishment given recent national trends. This success was attributed to several strategies, including embedding the survey link directly into the learning management system, promoting the survey through digital signage across campus, and refining their approach to incentives. For example, in the past, OHIO offered students the chance to win a laptop. However, Joni explained, “When I was calling the students who won, particularly with a $1500 laptop, they were like, ‘I already have a laptop, could I get something else?’” They also found that $25 gift cards were less effective, noting that several students would win a gift card but then never stop by the office to receive it. For future administrations, the team plans to shift toward offering more $100 gift cards, based on research suggesting that this amount is more motivating for students than smaller prizes. These efforts reflect a thoughtful and adaptive approach to student engagement.
Looking ahead, Ohio University plans to continue refining its dashboards and outreach strategies. The team is focused on combining data sources into dashboards that meet specific campus needs, simplifying language for casual users, and maintaining full access to detailed NSSE data for those who want to dig deeper. By prioritizing accessibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement, Ohio University offers a compelling model for institutions seeking to make the most of their NSSE data.
