The missing link in college student engagement research: What students want from their learning experience

The behavioral model underpinning national surveys of university students’ engagement (e.g., NSSE, AUSSE, UKES) considers students’ experiences but neglects their motivation. We surveyed undergraduates (N=1,772) about what they wanted from their university experience and how that has turned out. Using thematic analyses, the most common codes were explore subject (20% of students), apply learning (16%), nonspecific (12%), grow as person (11.5%), explore and apply (10%), interact with peers (8%) and interact with staff (4%). Findings showed significantly fewer black and minority ethnic (BME) students expressing explore subject and more BME students preferring apply learning experiences than white students. Students with explore subject, explore and apply hopes, or desire for grow as person tended to report their hopes fulfilled. Implications for research and practice are discussed.