Skip to main content

Program Assessment

Assessment Projects

Messina conducts annual assessments related to our Messina Learning Outcomes. From 2012-2014 all aspects of our learning outcomes were generally assessed. In Fall 2015, we began a cyclical look at our learning outcomes through the lens of data collection. Our assessment cycle is as follows:

  • 2019-2020 and 2015-2016: Jesuit Mission and Values
  • 2020-2021 and 2016-2017: Critical Understanding
  • 2021-2022 and 2017-2018: Connections to Loyola Community
  • 2022-2023 and 2018-2019: Integrated Learning

Below is a list of previous assessment projects for general review. While the reports are lengthy, most include an executive summary (about 1-3 pages long) in the beginning of the report that provides an overview of the findings. Questions about these reports should be directed to Sarah Lewis, Associate Director of Messina, at selewis@loyola.edu or 410-617-1188.

Messina 2021-2022 End of Year Student Survey

Spring 2022 
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the spring semester with an emphasis on connections to the Loyola community, and sense of belonging.

Messina 2021-2022 Mid-Year Student Survey

Fall 2021 
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on connections to the Loyola community, and sense of belonging.

Messina 2020-2021 End of Year Student Survey

Spring 2021 
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the spring semester with an emphasis on critical understanding, connections to the Loyola community, and our Commitment to Anti-Racism.

Messina 2020-2021 Mid-Year Student Survey

Fall 2020 
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on critical understanding, connections to the Loyola community, and our Commitment to Anti-Racism.

Messina 2019-2020 Mid-Year Student Survey

Fall 2019 
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on connections to the Loyola community; and student understanding, experience, and engagement with the practice of discernment and reflection.  

Messina Study on Integrated Learning

Fall 2018-Spring 2019 
All first-year students were invited to participate in a Pre-Test and Post-Test related to their practice of Integrative Learning. Additionally, some students also completed a reflective assignment related to this topic scored using the AAC&U Integrative Learning VALUE Rubric. The link above provides a copy of our Executive Summary.

Please note: Members of the Loyola community can access the full report digitally. Due to this project also being a part of a larger multi-institutional research study, non-Loyola community members should email Mary Ellen Wade regarding inquiries for the complete project report.

Messina Sophomore Interviews

Spring 2018 
Students in the class of 2020 were invited to take part in interviews examining differences between the first year and sophomore year both academically and personally, elements covered in Messina that were beneficial beyond the first year experience and suggestions for growth, differences in the Messina course structure as compared to non-Messina courses, and essential topics covered in the spring semester. Additionally, a written part of these interviews included reflections on developing sense of belonging in the first year.

Messina 2018 Senior Focus Group

Spring 2018 
Students in the class of 2018 who were a part of the first 2/3 of students in Messina were invited to take part in a focus group to examine elements of their Messina experience, including elements covered in Messina that were beneficial beyond the first year experience and suggestions for growth.

Messina 2017-2018 Mid-Year Student Survey

Fall 2017 
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on connections to the Loyola community, campus resources, and sense of belonging.

Messina 2016-2017 End of Year Student Survey

Spring 2017 
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed how Messina learning outcomes related to Critical Understanding were experienced both in Messina and throughout the first year by students.

Messina 2017 Senior Focus Group

Spring 2017 
Students in the class of 2017 who were a part of the first 1/3 of students in Messina were invited to take part in a focus group to examine elements of their Messina experience, including elements covered in Messina that were beneficial beyond the first year experience and suggestions for growth.

Messina 2016-2017 Mid-Year Student Survey

Fall 2016 
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on connections to the Loyola community, campus resources, and opportunities for student intellectual engagement.

Discernment and Reflection Data Findings Visualization

Spring 2016 
A two page compilation of findings about questions related to discernment and reflection asked in the 2015-2016 End of Year Student Survey.

Messina 2015-2016 End of Year Student Survey

Spring 2016 
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the spring semester with an emphasis on examining student understanding, experience, and engagement with the practice of discernment and reflection.

Discernment Data Findings Visualization

Fall 2015 
A one page compilation of findings about questions related to discernment asked in the 2015-2016 Mid-Year Student Survey.

Messina 2015-2016 Mid-Year Student Survey

Fall 2015 
Administered to all first-year students, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the fall semester with an emphasis on connections to the Loyola community, campus resources, and student understanding, experience, and engagement with the practice of discernment and reflection.

Messina 2014-2015 End of Year Student Survey

Spring 2015 
Administered only to first-year students participating in Messina during the spring semester, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the spring and provided an opportunity to share reflections on their first year.

Messina 2014-2015 Mid-Year Student Survey

Fall 2014 
Administered to both first-year students participating in Messina as well as those participating in Loyola 101 [program phased out in Fall 2015], this survey reviewed the first-year student experience at Loyola, including program participation-specific questions.

Messina 2013-2014 End of Year Student Survey

Spring 2014 
Administered only to first-year students participating in Messina during the spring semester, this survey reviewed student experience in Messina during the spring and provided an opportunity to share reflections on their first year.

Messina 2013-2014 Mid-Year Student Survey

Fall 2013 
Administered only to first-year students participating in Messina during the fall semester, this survey reviewed the first-year student experience at Loyola, including questions specifically related to participation within Messina.

Messina 2012-2013 Honors Pilot Survey Findings

Fall 2012 
Administered to first-year students in the Honors Program who served as a pilot Messina cohort.