Jul 16, 2009

Great Colleges To Work For

Operating from the premise that great places to work generally produce great results—in this case college experiences, I was delighted to see the results from the second annual survey of great colleges to work for conducted by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Based on survey responses from 41,000 administrators and faculty members at 247 four- and two-year colleges (an astounding 43% response rate), the Chronicle broke results into a number of different subcategories including Collaborative Governance, Professional/Career Development Programs, Teaching Environment, Compensation and Benefits, and possibly the most important, Job Satisfaction. Survey findings along with analysis of demographic data and workplace policies produced lists of top schools organized alphabetically to avoid stepping on toes.

In the area of Job Satisfaction, which generally encompasses many of the other categories considered, the following four-year schools rated at the top:

Small (2,999 or fewer)

Medium (3,000 to 9,999)

Large (10,000+)

Birmingham-Southern (AL)

Canisius College (NY)

Baylor University (TX)

Furman University (SC)

College of Saint Rose (NY)

Cornell University (NY)

Gettysburg College (PA)

Elon University (NC)

Duke University (NC)

Hardin-Simons University (TX)

McKendree University (IL)

George Mason University (VA)

Juniata College (PA)

Niagara University (NY)

Georgia Tech (GA)

Lourdes College (OH)

Oklahoma City University (OK)

Lamar University (TX)

Morningside College (IA)

PA College of Technology (PA)

Texas State at San Marcos (TX)

St. Michaels College (VT)

Rice University (TX)

University of Mississippi (MS)

Southeastern Bible College (AL)

Rollins College (FL)

University of Notre Dame (IN)

Sweet Briar College (VA)

SUNY Plattsburgh (NY)

University of the Ozarks (AL)

Survey results cited daycare facilities, flexible work hours, provision of staff housing, and free/reduced tuition as among those elements of work experience contributing to job satisfaction. At Niagara University, free pilates and spinning classes were among the staff benefits that seem to resonate with staff, and the Rollins staff loves the annual surprise day off announced each spring by the school’s President.

But the drum roll for the top four-year institutions in each size category based on the number of times these institutions appeared across the board in individual recognition groups goes to:

Small (2,999 or fewer)

Medium (3,000 to 9,999

Large (10,000+)

Austin (TX)

Canisius College (NY)

Cornell University (NY)

Birmingham-Southern (AL)

College of Saint Rose (NY)

Duke University (NC)

Furman University (SC)

McKendree University (IL)

Emory University (GA)

Gettysburg College (PA)

Niagara University (NY)

George Mason University (VA)

Hardin-Simons University (TX)

Oklahoma City University (OK)

Georgia Tech (GA)

Juniata College (PA)

PA College of Technology (PA)

Lamar University (TX)

Lourdes College (OH)

Rice University (TX)

University of Mississippi (MS)

Morningside College (IA)

Rollins College (FL)

University of Notre Dame (IN)

Saint Michaels College (VT)

SUNY Plattsburgh (NY)

Webster University (MO)

Southeastern Bible College (AL)

York College (PA)

University of the Ozarks (AR)

More information on survey results may be found in the Chronicle supplement produced for this purpose, but a subscription or day pass is required.

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