Summer 2005

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--The Alabama Commission on Governmental Accountability recently surveyed alumni from all twelve public, four-year colleges and universities in the state to determine alumni satisfaction.  The University of West Alabama ranked first among all universities in Alabama for career services, quality advising, accessibility of advisors and caring faculty and staff.  UWA also received the highest score awarded to any institution for quality of instruction in courses, preparation for writing effectively, preparation for working with others, value of undergraduate degree in preparing one for current job and acknowledgement that the undergraduate degree was worth the time and money invested. 

UWA Provost Dr. David Taylor said of the survey results, “Many institutions bill themselves as offering a caring and nurturing environment in which students are recognized and given attention as individuals.  These data show clearly that at UWA, this is more than a promotional slogan.  The individual student is indeed important here.”

            When UWA alumni were asked to rate their overall satisfaction with their undergraduate experience, the University ranked second highest among the twelve institutions in the survey.  Also, according to the survey, UWA ranked second in preparing individuals to work in teams and tied for second with another institution in courses being taught when one needed them.  UWA also tied for second in the category of   “quality courses taught in one’s major” and tied for third in “quality of courses taken.” 

When UWA alumni were asked if they had to do it all over again, would they attend UWA for their undergraduate degree, over 91 percent said “yes.”  The overall state average was 88.6 percent.

“We are extremely proud of the University and its rankings in this survey.  It is further validation of the quality of our programs.  These outstanding rankings are due to the exceptional work of our talented and dedicated faculty and staff,” commented Dr. Richard Holland, UWA President. 

The Alabama Commission on Government Accountability is charged with gathering performance information from state agencies and presenting it to the public. 

In another state evaluation, UWA received an “A” rating on the annual Teacher Preparation Report Card released by the Alabama State Department of Education.  UWA has earned this rating for the past five years that the report card has been issued. 

Since 1835, The University of West Alabama has served the west central Alabama area through educational opportunity, academic research, and public outreach.