Improving Employee Performance through Engagement in Higher Education Advancement: An Evidence-Informed Approach

Abstract

This study assesses the relationship between employee engagement and performance in a university advancement office within a private R1 university in New England. In a mixed methods approach, quantitative data included survey responses with the Gallup engagement scores from 2018-2022, and qualitative data included data derived from a focus group interview of seven frontline fundraisers from the organization. Findings from the study demonstrated an overall weak correlation and identify the moderating factors that positively and negatively impact engagement within the context.