The biennial gradSERU survey examines graduate students’ experiences across the entire spectrum of their graduate career and found students largely pleased—but identified some areas for improvement.
The 2023 gradSERU (Student Experiences in the Research University) survey results are now available.
The survey found that while students reported feeling a strong sense of belonging at ƷSMӰƬ and are satisfied with the advising, education and research opportunities that they are receiving, there were still areas for improvement. These include compensation and general campus climate for students of color or those with disabilities.
Administered in spring 2023, this biennial survey was designed to examine students’ experiences across the entire spectrum of their graduate career. It was sent to all enrolled graduate and professional students (excluding business administration and law students), totaling 3,848 students. Overall, 36% of students responded—up from 28% in 2021.
"Thank you to everyone who responded to the gradSERU survey last spring. Your feedback is critical in allowing us to better understand the graduate student experience at ƷSMӰƬ,” said E. Scott Adler, the dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate affairs.
Findings such as these help to shape our priorities and initiatives in the Graduate School and the wider university.
“We continuously work on the services and support that the university provides our graduate students, so it is imperative that we know more about who they are and their career goals. Findings such as these help to shape our priorities and initiatives in the Graduate School and the wider university."
The gradSERU survey is administered every two years, with the first being in 2021 and the next in 2025. Since receiving the 2021 gradSERU results, the Graduate School has implemented several changes, including:
The gradSERU survey provides ƷSMӰƬ with various sources of information about students and programs, which is important to its ongoing planning and decision making. The Graduate School is committed to keeping the graduate student community informed of its progress as it works on crucial issues identified in the data.
A full breakdown of the data is available in the announcement sent earlier this year. More information is available on the gradSERU web page.