we made an "a" Free Will Baptist Bible College Gains Insight From an Independent Student Survey By Jack Williams     Find out more about Free Will Baptist Bible College at www.fwbbc.edu.

FREE WILL BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE made an “A,” according to a 2007-2008 student satisfaction survey report by Noel-Levitz, Inc., a leading national firm specializing in collegiate surveys. FWBBC students participated in the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory administered in 391 four-year private colleges and universities.

Survey results showed FWBBC students giving the college higher satisfaction ratings in eight critical areas of importance than did students in other four-year private colleges and universities.

President Matt Pinson said, “The Noel-Levitz survey confirms what we thought was true all along—our students know they’re receiving an excellent education in a helpful, caring, and safe environment. They have access to mentors and teachers at important times when they face decisions. I hope the survey encourages more parents and pastors to direct their children and church youth to FWBBC.”

What Students Say

What students say about their college experience often differs from what the promotional literature advertises at some colleges. But that’s not the case at FWBBC. Current students echo what’s published in the college catalog and promised in annual reports—they like it here and plan to stay. On the other hand, students the world over always prefer Mom’s home cooking. No surprise there, of course.

These are the eight areas where FWBBC students rated their college experience higher than students at other four-year private institutions:

1. My academic advisor is knowledgeable about requirements in my major.

2. The quality of instruction I receive is excellent.

3. Faculty members are available outside of class.

4. The campus staff is caring and helpful.

5. I receive the help I need.

6. My academic advisor is available when I need help.

7. Administrators are available to hear my concerns.

8. The content of the courses is valuable.

Naturally, in the case of FWBBC, a number of items not surveyed by Noel-Levitz are important to us as a Christian college—elements such as chapel effectiveness, growth in devotional life, personal Bible study, Christian Service assignments, and spiritual atmosphere on campus.

Why Student Surveys Matter

An 18-year-old freshman away from home for the first time has a different list of concerns that matter in his collegiate educational experience than do his parents or pastor. Bottom line—if the student isn’t happy with the college he attends, it doesn’t matter what the Board of Trustees think or how well printed the Annual Report may be.

Students want to feel welcome, to know someone cares, to know help is a phone call away if complications arise. Let’s take a closer look at some of the high marks students gave FWBBC and why they’re important.
Knowledgeable Academic Advisors / Available When Needed

Faculty members at FWBBC are assigned a number of student advisees each year and meet regularly with them to review degree audits and make sure students are taking the necessary courses to graduate on schedule.

The faculty maintains office hours so students can contact them as needs arise. They also meet at campus events, conferences, chapel services, and meals.
FWBBC students are surveyed each year to measure academic advisor effectiveness. The great majority of advisors receive high marks, with the “Academic Advisor of the Year” award usually decided by hundredths of a point.

Quality of Instruction Excellent

FWBBC students interact daily with top instructors in their fields of study whether its Bible and theology or missions, international business principles or music application, psychology or biology, pastoral ministry or youth ministry, teacher education or exercise science. FWBBC teachers are published widely. They serve on professional and academic boards and committees, and speak in numerous public settings.

Classroom presentations include the latest in technology and research, always prepared with the students’ best interests in mind.

Campus Staff Caring and Helpful

Sometimes the unexpected happens during the academic year—a student becomes ill, a friend or family member dies, a breakup occurs with a girlfriend or boyfriend. Perhaps a student’s car stops running or he experiences a job loss. Life happens, and when it does, the caring FWBBC staff reaches out with a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on at the right moment.

When a phone call to Mom isn’t enough, sometimes a quiet discussion and prayer with a friendly staff member makes all the difference. That difference takes many forms—helping students mail a letter, notifying them of a change in classroom location, or assisting them in finding a part-time job. Our staff goes the second mile to make sure students know they’re loved, respected, and important to us.

Course Content Valuable

FWBBC students get a sense that what they’re studying matters. It’s more than completing assignments and writing research papers. The classes are framed in a Christian worldview, whether that class is history or English, Bible doctrines or pre-nursing. What they learn today can be applied in campus residence halls or on the job downtown.

Our students understand that they’re handling the currency of life in the classroom. The courses help them teach a Sunday School class, balance the checkbook, unravel the intricacies of local and state government, communicate with media representatives, understand a friend struggling with depression, or explain the Christian message in the marketplace of ideas.

10% Higher

One of the most important summary questions asked in the student satisfaction survey was this: All in all, if you had it to do over, would you enroll here again?

Seventy-eight percent of FWBBC students answered Yes. That’s 10 percent higher than students in other four-year private colleges and universities nationwide!

The overwhelming majority of FWBBC students are happy with their decisions to enroll at the college. Eight out of every 10 students would do it over if they could enroll here again. That’s good news for high school seniors considering where they will spend the next four years and for parents who want the best for their children.

What This Means to Prospective Students

Julie Bryant, associate vice president with Noel-Levitz, said, “The Student Satisfaction Inventory provides Free Will Baptist Bible College with the opportunity to determine areas of value to their students as well as identify areas where the college is currently meeting expectations and where there is room for improvement. These lists of strengths and challenges will help guide FWBBC’s decision making in areas that matter to students. Surveying student satisfaction and responding in areas that students value is a powerful way to show FWBBC students that the college cares about them.”

The 2007-2008 Student Satisfaction Survey tells the prospective student that FWBBC is serious about its responsibility to provide a quality education both inside and outside the classroom.

It tells parents their financial investment in tuition, room, and board is worth the cost—their son or daughter will be assured of collegiate instruction on a high level from caring professors who excel academically.
It tells pastors that Free Will Baptist Bible College is fulfilling its mission “to educate leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world through Biblical thought and life.” Pastors can send their church youth to FWBBC knowing they will graduate prepared to take their places in the community, in the local church, and in the work of God’s kingdom.

As it has been for more than 65 years, FWBBC continues to be the most trusted name in Free Will Baptist education. Just ask our students.

ABOUT THE WRITER: Jack Williams is director of communications at Free Will Baptist Bible College.