APSU named Great College to Work For
For the fourth consecutive year, Austin Peay State University is one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to a recent survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education. In addition, APSU is the only university in Tennessee to make the national publication’s “Great Colleges to Work For 2015” list.
The results were released earlier this week in The Chronicle’s eighth annual report on The Academic Workplace.
“Austin Peay State University is a great place to work because employees take ownership of the institution,” APSU President Alisa White said. “We take responsibility for the institution and one another. Many employees are involved in the institution outside of work hours, participating in staff activities, attending campus events and investing in meaningful relationships with co-workers. Employees have built a rich Austin Peay culture, which has become a rewarding way of life.”
In all, only 86 institutions achieved “Great Colleges to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium and large institutions, with APSU included among the large universities with 10,000 or more students.
APSU won honors in 10 of 12 categories this year:
• Collaborative Governance
• Confidence in Senior Leadership
• Facilities, Workspace and Security
• Job Satisfaction
• Professional/Career-Development Programs
• Respect and Appreciation
• Supervisor or Department Chair Relationship
• Teaching Environment
• Tenure Clarity and Process
• Work/Life Balance
Because APSU was recognized in several categories, the University received Honor Roll recognition. Only 10 out of the 25 schools in the large institutions category were placed on the Honor Roll.
The results are based on a survey of all employees at APSU. 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.
“In short, by investing in their people, great colleges create a culture of engagement,” Richard K. Boyer, founding partner with ModernThink LLC, said. “Faculty and staff members understand and support the institution’s mission, are provided with the tools and authority they need to contribute their best and consistently go the extra mile for colleagues and students.”
Great Colleges to Work For is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all the results of the survey, visit The Chronicle’s Web link at http://chronicle.com/article/Great-Colleges-to-Work-For-in/231133/#id=big-table.