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Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research
PACE Climate Survey for Community Colleges

About the PACE Climate Survey

The PACE Climate Survey is based on a research-driven conceptual model that demonstrates that the leadership of an institution influences the culture, policies, practices, and routines of their institution. Individual employee perceptions of the institution’s policies, practices, and routines are aggregated to produce an institutional climate. The quality of various aspects of an institution’s climate has been shown to be related to individual-level and institution-level performance outcomes. It is the goal of PACE to act as a catalyst for improving institutional climate for the purpose of enhancing institutional performance toward student success.

“The results of the [PACE] survey gave us valuable information to use in developing a new strategic plan.”

Michael Gagner, Blackhawk Technical College

The PACE Climate Survey asks respondents to evaluate their institution on four climate factors — institutional structure, supervisory relationships, teamwork, and student focus — using a five-point Likert scale. Each set of survey items related to the four climate factors has been tested for reliability and validity. 

Institutions receive a comprehensive report that outlines the survey results, including the standard PACE Climate Survey and demographic reports, a personnel classification report, a qualitative report, and custom report if an institution uses custom questions.

Benefits of the PACE Climate Survey

  • Quick and easy administration
  • Customizable features
  • User-friendly online survey
  • Cost-effective
  • Well-tested, reputable instrument
  • Easy to understand summary reports

Our institutional partners use results from the PACE Climate Survey in many ways, including:

  • Better understand campus issues
  • Measure change in campus climate over a multi-year period
  • Measure campus climate before, during, or after a change in institutional organization or leadership
  • Campus climate benchmarking
  • Gather employee insights on a new initiative, project, or practice
  • Develop a strategic plan or evaluate the effectiveness of strategic plan implementation
  • Fulfill award application or accreditation requirements