McKendree is on ‘2012 Great Colleges to Work For’ Honor Roll
One of the Nation’s Top 42 Recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education
Lebanon, Ill. — McKendree University remains one of the best colleges in the nation
to work for, according to a new survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education. It is
one of just 42 colleges and universities nationwide to receive Honor Roll recognition
as well, rating highly compared to other institutions of similar size.
The results, released August 6 in The Chronicle’s fifth annual report on The Academic
Workplace, are based on a survey of nearly 46,000 employees at 294 colleges and universities.
In all, only 103 of the 294 institutions - including 79 out of 221 four-year institutions
and 24 out of 73 two-year community colleges - achieved Great College to Work For®
recognition for specific best practices and policies.
Now in its fifth year, the Great Colleges program has become one of the largest and
most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country, second only to Fortune’s
“100 Best Companies to Work For.”
Results are reported based on enrollment size for small, medium, and large institutions,
with McKendree in the medium size category.
Survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit
that captured demographics and workplace policies from each institution; and a survey
administered to full-time faculty, administrators and professional support staff.
Employee feedback was the primary factor in deciding whether an institution received
Great Colleges to Work For recognition. McKendree University currently employs 209
full-time faculty and staff members, as well as a significant number of part-time
employees.
McKendree employees rated the university highly enough to be recognized in seven out
of 12 categories:
• Collaborative Governance. Faculty members are appropriately involved in decisions related to academic programs.
• Professional and Career Development Programs. Employees are given the opportunity to develop skills and understand requirements
to advance in their careers.
• Teaching Environment. Faculty members say the institution recognizes innovative and high-quality teaching.
• Confidence in Senior Leadership. Leaders have the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary for institutional success.
• Supervisor or Department Chair Relationship. Supervisor makes expectations clear and solicits ideas.
• Respect and Appreciation. Employees are regularly recognized for their contributions.
• Tenure Clarity and Process. Requirements for tenure are clear, faculty members say.
“These survey results validate the positive community spirit for which McKendree is
known,” said Dr. Christine Bahr, provost. “It is gratifying to work for an institution
that values open dialogue, collaborative problem-solving, and shared governance, and
where employees take pride in the institution. We are especially pleased to be recognized
for a fourth year in a row on the Honor Roll.”
The Chronicle is the nation’s most important source of news about colleges and universities.
“The institutions that the Great Colleges program recognizes provide innovative educational
experiences – while also offering their employees outstanding workplace experiences
– and we are eager to help readers learn more about them,” said Liz McMillen, editor.
To administer the survey and analyze the results, The Chronicle worked with ModernThink
LLC, a strategic human capital consulting firm that has conducted numerous “Best Places
to Work” programs, surveying hundreds of thousands of employees nationwide.
- McK -
