The Importance of Trust in Education
Recent findings from the Student Voice survey bring to light significant variations in trust across different groups within educational institutions.
Students report the highest levels of trust in their professors, while senior university leaders, including presidents, receive the lowest ratings.
This discrepancy points to underlying factors that shape student trust and highlights the need for strategies to enhance it.
Trust in educational settings positively influences student outcomes and nurtures a supportive campus culture and institutional reputation.
The insights gathered from the Student Voice survey, executed in collaboration with Generation Lab, show how students’ trust fluctuates among various campus representatives who play roles in their educational journey.
When asked about their level of trust in different campus roles designed to foster a positive college experience, approximately 44 percent of students indicated strong trust in their professors, while another 43 percent expressed some degree of trust.
This trend holds true across various institution types, although students at private nonprofit colleges reported slightly higher trust levels, at 51 percent, compared to 42 percent at public colleges.
Survey Methodology
The Student Voice survey, conducted in May 2024 in conjunction with Generation Lab, gathered responses from a diverse group of 5,025 students.
This sample included around 30 percent enrolled in two-year colleges, with roughly 37 percent falling into the post-traditional student category—either attending two-year institutions or aged 25 and older.
The results reflect a national student demographic with a margin of error of 1.4 percent.
For those interested in exploring the detailed findings, interactive visualizations are available, covering various aspects of college life, including academic issues, health and wellness, overall college experience, and post-graduation readiness.
Trust in professors appeared consistent across different student demographics, such as gender, income, and political affiliation.
Both Democratic and Republican students reported similar high trust levels of 47 percent and 44 percent, respectively.
However, notable variations were evident among racial groups.
Only 32 percent of Black students expressed high trust in their professors, in contrast to 47 percent of white students, 42 percent of Asian American and Pacific Islander students, and 41 percent of Hispanic students.
Following professors, academic advisers were the next most trusted group at 36 percent, while campus safety officials garnered trust from 32 percent of students.
Interestingly, despite ongoing national discussions about policing, trust in safety personnel has experienced an upward trend over the past few years.
Previous surveys indicated that undergraduates held comparable levels of trust in campus safety officers.
In stark contrast, trust in financial aid staff received considerable scrutiny, with only 23 percent of respondents expressing high trust.
This low level of trust may stem from broader societal conversations around college affordability and the recent hurdles associated with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) reforms.
Although analyses show that FAFSA adjustments did not significantly affect enrollment rates, a flash survey conducted shortly after highlighted that one-third of respondents felt their schools had communicated poorly regarding these changes, particularly lower-income students who reported higher dissatisfaction.
Addressing the Trust Gap with College Presidents
Research indicates that the most crucial skill for contemporary college presidents is trust-building.
Almost all surveyed leaders stressed the importance of behaving in a trustworthy and accountable manner.
They also noted that maintaining visibility and engaging with students are vital strategies for fostering trust.
The Student Voice data highlights a notable expectation gap between students and presidents when it comes to trust-building efforts.
To bridge this gap, it could be advantageous for college leaders to meet students on platforms they actively use.
College leaders need to be present at events where they can genuinely listen to student concerns, as this physical presence can significantly shape perceptions of care and commitment.
Authentic communication is also key; generic messages often come across as hollow, lacking empathy and understanding.
Further studies emphasize that building trust between students and faculty begins with showing genuine care and concern—qualities that students highly value in their relationships with professors.
Additionally, effective teaching practices play a vital role in building trust, especially as artificial intelligence tools continue to reshape educational delivery.
Fostering Trust Among Faculty
Scholarly discussions define educational trust as the willingness to engage based on the belief that instructors are dedicated to student success and comprehend the challenges students encounter.
To nurture this vital relationship, researchers identified four key categories of trust-building actions, termed “trust moves”:
- Cognition, which conveys knowledge and competence.
- Affect, which showcases care and concern.
- Identity, which acknowledges how personal identities impact learning and teaching.
- Values, which reflect alignment with professional or cultural principles.
These actions transcend simple behaviors and encompass elements such as course design, assessment practices, and overall teaching methodologies.
How do you contribute to fostering trust within your classroom or on your campus? We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences.
Source: Insidehighered