A Data-Driven Campus Starts with the Right Questions
A university campus is more than just classrooms and dorms—it’s a living, breathing community. But how do you truly understand what students, staff, and faculty are experiencing?
At SoundRocket, we believe that the foundation of a strong campus climate is data-driven decision-making. Since 2004, we’ve worked with higher education institutions to conduct research that sheds light on the student experience. But our path to becoming a leader in campus climate surveys wasn’t something we planned—it evolved naturally from our deep roots in academic social science research.
Today, we partner with institutions across the country to conduct high-quality, customized campus climate surveys that provide actionable insights.
Here’s how we got here.
The Early Days: Pioneering Online Survey Research in Higher Ed
SoundRocket (originally founded as Survey Sciences Group) was born out of a need to modernize survey research in higher education. In the early 2000s, web-based surveys were still considered experimental, especially in academic settings. Many researchers were skeptical about their validity, despite their growing use in the commercial world.
Our goal was to bridge that gap—bringing academic rigor to modern, efficient web-based surveys for researchers in higher education.
Our first major study was the University of Michigan Student Life Survey (2005), led by Dr. Carol Boyd and Dr. Sean McCabe. This study focused on college student drug and alcohol use, mental health, and well-being. It was a perfect fit for an online methodology:
• Universities could provide email lists for sampling.
• Web surveys allowed for faster data collection.
• The format was more engaging and accessible to students.
The study’s success demonstrated the power of web-based research in higher education and set the stage for future collaborations.
The Growth of Multi-Campus Surveys
Following the Student Life Survey, we expanded into multi-campus studies, providing survey administration and data collection for researchers working across institutions.
One of our earliest large-scale collaborations was with Dr. Karen Kurtsuchi Inkelas at the University of Maryland, studying living-learning programs—residential programs that connect students’ academic and living environments.
From there, we partnered with Dr. John Dugan to launch the Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership (MSL), helping colleges and universities evaluate their leadership programs while contributing to national research.
By the early 2010s, we were conducting surveys at over 100 institutions per year, supporting studies on:
- Mental health (e.g., the Healthy Minds Study at the University of Michigan).
- College drinking and substance use (e.g., University of California system).
- Student engagement and leadership development.
At this point, we weren’t yet calling these “campus climate surveys,” but we were already gathering broad institutional data on the student experience.
The Shift to Campus Climate Surveys
Everything changed in 2015-2016, when the University of Michigan approached us to conduct a large-scale sexual misconduct climate survey. The university sought to create a gold-standard survey—one that would collect high-quality, representative data on a highly sensitive topic.
This project marked our official entry into campus climate research. We worked with university researchers to design a methodologically rigorous study, applying techniques to maximize response rates and minimize bias. The results were groundbreaking:
60%+ response rate—unheard of in web-based surveys on sensitive topics.
Insights that helped shape institutional policies on sexual misconduct prevention.
A model for future campus climate studies.
Following this success, we expanded into other campus climate topics, including:
- Issues of diversity and accessibility
- Mental health and well-being
- Faculty and staff workplace experiences
- General student belonging and campus engagement
- Sexual misconduct
Notably, campus climate research evolved beyond just student surveys—today, we also survey faculty and staff to provide a full picture of institutional climate.
Case Study: Advancing Campus Survey Methods with the University of Michigan One of the most successful and methodologically innovative surveys we conducted was the University of Michigan’s Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey. In collaboration with the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, we applied responsive survey design techniques to maximize response rates and data accuracy. These efforts resulted in a groundbreaking study published in Sociological Methods & Research, showcasing how strategic survey design can reduce nonresponse bias and improve representation in campus surveys. This research not only helped Michigan make informed policy decisions, but it also provided a scientific model for institutions looking to conduct rigorous campus climate surveys. 📄 Read the full study: Applying Responsive Design to Campus Climate Surveys |
Why Institutions Choose SoundRocket for Campus Climate Research
At SoundRocket, we don’t just administer surveys—we help institutions ask the right questions to get the most meaningful insights.
Here’s why institutions trust us:
- Deep expertise in higher education survey research
We’ve collected over a million high-quality responses from students, faculty, and staff across hundreds of institutions. - Custom, institution-specific surveys
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Every institution has unique priorities, and we work closely to develop tailored survey instruments. - Proven methodologies for high response rates
Our responsive survey design techniques help ensure broad participation across diverse student, staff, and faculty populations. - A partner-driven approach
We collaborate closely with institutions—from study design to results interpretation—to ensure they get actionable, data-driven insights.
What’s Next & How to Work with Us
SoundRocket has come a long way from our early days in social science research. Today, we specialize in campus climate surveys that help institutions:
- Measure student, staff, and faculty experiences.
- Identify areas for improvement in institutional climate.
- Make data-driven policy decisions that shape the future of higher education.