PERCEPTION OF ALUMNI OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Author

Sherifat RufaiFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-6-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science - Agriculture

Department

Agriculture

First Advisor

Michael Maurer

Second Advisor

Candis Carraway

Third Advisor

Ray Darville

Abstract

University alumni surveys have served various purposes since they were introduced in the 1930s in the United States. The Department of Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) aimed to evaluate alumni perceptions between the Fall of 2010 and the Spring of 2022 to provide an opportunity to examine the relationship between degree fields and occupations and the agriculture curriculum, salaries, and demographic data for college graduates. This study's web-based survey was designed to include closed-ended and open-ended questions to collect individual opinions using Qualtrics Survey Software. The survey materials were made available on the alumni's social media accounts. The samples show the gender representation of this study to be 29.3% male, 69.8% female, and 1.0% other. Furthermore, the result indicated that 42.6% of respondents obtained their desired job before graduation and 15.3% within three months of graduation, and the educational field represented the major employer of respondents. Additionally, the study shows that 49.54% of respondents believe they are currently using their agriculture degree in their current career. The study indicates that the relationships between respondents and professors are the department's greatest strength. Facilities, curriculum and programs, staffing, and advising services need improvement in SFASU's Department of Agriculture. Alumni surveys are extremely valuable to colleges and universities, as alumni play essential roles in shaping and leading their institutions.

Repository Citation

Rufai, Sherifat, "PERCEPTION OF ALUMNI OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 513.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/513

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