Faculty and a student collaborate on a project.
Strategy

Ascend

Faculty member speaking into a microphone during a presentation.

Through the Ascend survey, faculty gather anonymous student feedback multiple times during the semester to better understand students’ classroom experience. The survey captures perceptions of motivation, connection, and support, and the results help instructors reflect on how students are experiencing and engaging with the course. Faculty then meet in institutional and cross-institutional groups to discuss results, share strategies for improvement and provide professional encouragement. This data-informed approach strengthens teaching and helps build more supportive learning environments for students while building faculty networks and community.

Leadership Team

Portrait photo of staff member with college mascot
Rachael Hannah
University of Alaska Anchorage
Portrait photo of staff member
Sushilla Knottenbelt
University of New Mexico
Portrait photo of staff member
Christine Rodriguez
Fairfield University
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Karen Schmeichel
Otterbein University
Group of staff members at an in-person meeting
Virtual meeting screen with 15 participants in a grid, showing diverse individuals in various home and office settings.
Diagram showing interconnected names grouped by universities including Fisk, University of New Mexico, Simmons, Oglethorpe, Fairfield, Otterbein, Portland State, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Minnesota Morris, and Xavier, with colored lines connecting them representing a collaborative network.

"Ascend has allowed me to understand better how students in my classes are experiencing the classroom. I have had conversations with them that would not have been possible otherwise."

Portrait photo of staff member
Elizabeth Jensen
Associate Professor of Chemistry, Oglethorpe University

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