student achievement
Union Commonwealth University has an established institutional goal of reaching a 61% fall-to-fall retention rate for first-time, full-time freshman. This goal keeps Union in alignment with peer institutions in Kentucky. Table 1.1 below provides data on the retention rate of students entering as first-time, full-time freshman during the indicated academic year who returned the following year. Prior to the onset of the Corona Virus Pandemic, Union was on track to meeting the established benchmark. The retention rate for the next two years following the pandemic was a little lower but the percentage of students who enrolled as first-time, full-time freshman Fall 2023 and returned Fall 2024 has exceeded the benchmark established by the institution.
Table 1:1 Fall-to-fall freshman retention
When measuring student achievement, Union also looks at the completion rate for undergraduate students. The selected measure for evaluating achievement is the IPEDS Outcome Measures Survey. When first examined, the completion rate of students at the institution was 37.3%. Based on this percentage, Union established a goal of 43% completion rate and began to identify and implement improvements to promote student success. Table 1.2 Student Completion provided data on the complete rate of undergraduate students at Union Commonwealth University.
TABLE 1:2 STUDENT COMPLETION DATA
TABLE 1:3 STUDENT COMPLETION BY ETHNICITY
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 38% | 39% | 37% | 41% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 0% | 1.50% | 2% | 4% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Asian | 1.50% | 0% | 1% | 0% |
| Black or African American | 8% | 7% | 6% | 16% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 1.50% | 1.50% | 0% | 0% |
| White | 87% | 79% | 72% | 69% |
| Non-Resident Alien | 0% | 11% | 11% | 7% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 6% | 4% |
| Race/Ethnicity Unknown | 2% | 0% | 2% | 0% |
Student performance on external licensure exams is another way Union Commonwealth University evaluates student achievement. Students enrolled in the Nursing Pre-licensure program at the undergraduate level must pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) to receive state licensure. The established pass rate set by the State of Kentucky is 80%. This means a minimum of 80% of the students who complete the Nursing program at Union must pass the exam. I keep in line with what is required at the state level, Union has adopted this as the institutional goal. Table 1.3 provides data on the number of test takers per academic year and the percent passing. For each year, Union met or exceeded the established benchmark.
TABLE 1:4 NURSING LICENSURE EXAM
Union College NCLEX Pass Rates
| # TESTING | PASS RATE | |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 14 | 93% |
| 2020 | 21 | 86% |
| 2021 | 11 | 82% |
| 2022 | 10 | 80% |
