A recent Student Voice survey shines a spotlight on the varying levels of trust students place in different campus figures.
Interestingly, professors emerge as the most trusted group, while senior leaders, including college presidents, rank at the bottom.
This disparity prompts us to consider what factors affect students’ trust and how we might bolster it across campus.
Impact of Trust on Student Experience
Studies have consistently shown that when undergraduates trust their institutions, it positively impacts their individual experiences and the overall culture within the school.
An analysis from Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab, conducted in May 2024, explored how students view the trustworthiness of faculty and staff and their role in enhancing the educational experience.
The findings reveal that a staggering 87 percent of students have at least some level of trust in their professors—43 percent express a moderate trust while 44 percent place significant confidence in them.
This trend is common across both public and private institutions, regardless of their size.
However, private nonprofit colleges do stand out slightly, with 51 percent of students expressing strong trust in their professors compared to 42 percent from public colleges.
The survey included responses from 5,025 students nationwide.
Among them, roughly 28 percent were enrolled in two-year colleges, and about 37 percent identified as post-traditional learners (aged 25 or older or studying in two-year programs).
With a margin of error at just 1.4 percent, these results can be seen as quite reliable.
Demographic Insights on Trust
When examining demographic differences, trust in professors remains largely consistent across various groups, such as gender and income levels.
Although political ideology has some influence, with 47 percent of Democratic students and 44 percent of Republicans showing strong trust in their professors, racial disparities are stark.
Only 32 percent of Black students report significant trust, compared to 47 percent of white students, 42 percent of Asian American and Pacific Islander students, and 41 percent of Hispanic students.
Following professors, academic advisors hold the next highest trust level with 36 percent of students expressing confidence in them.
Campus safety officers garner the trust of 32 percent, while financial aid staff unfortunately linger at the bottom, with only 23 percent of students feeling they can trust them.
This might reflect the ongoing worries about college affordability and the complexities tied to the financial aid application process.
Alarmingly, only 18 percent of students indicate high trust in presidents and senior leadership, highlighting a critical area in need of attention.
Building Trust Among Leaders
A recent study emphasized that contemporary college presidents must prioritize trust-building as their top competency.
Feedback from focus groups and surveys reinforces the importance of leaders engaging with students and faculty, minimizing unexpected changes, and remaining visible and accessible within the campus community.
Moreover, a deep dive into student-faculty relationships revealed that students appreciate professors who genuinely care and demonstrate concern for their well-being, in addition to their teaching skills.
The rise of artificial intelligence in education makes these personal connections even more vital.
In conclusion, nurturing trust within higher education is crucial, particularly between students and institutional leaders.
It is foundational for creating an environment that fosters support and enhances the overall academic journey.
Source: Insidehighered