McPherson College is a great place to work, according to a new survey by the Great Colleges to Work For® program. The results, appearing in a special edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education, recognize McPherson College for the eighth year in a row. McPherson College is also on the survey’s Honor Roll for the seventh year.
The results are based on a survey of 212 colleges and universities. In all, just 68 of the 212 institutions achieved recognition on the list for specific practices and policies. Only 42 colleges were included on the Honor Roll, an elite group of institutions that are standouts within their enrollment size. McPherson College was recognized in all 10 categories, and was the only Kansas school earning recognition on the list.
“Everyone at McPherson College works hard to make this a great place to work, and it’s special to be recognized again this year,” McPherson College President Michael Schneider said. “The fact that we have earned this distinction now for eight years running – and been named to the Honor Roll for seven years in a row – speaks to the strong, collaborative relationships among our faculty, staff, and administration.”
President Schneider points to some basic practices, like the college’s health insurance plan, that has not had a premium increase for more than 10 years, and monthly all-campus meetings called “huddles,” as reasons why people like working for McPherson College. Additionally, involvement in programs like training from the Kansas Leadership Center, which develop adaptive problem-solving skills, and other significant professional development investments in the operating budget, sets McPherson College apart from other college campuses.
In a comment featured on the survey’s website, one McPherson College employee says, “People allow you to do your job in the manner it needs to be done to be successful. You are allowed to create an environment for students and staff that is enjoyable. Support in hard times is here.”
McPherson College was one of 16 institutions nationwide to earn top honors in all of the report’s 10 categories, including areas like compensation and benefits and work and life balance.
“Since I began working for McPherson College last year, people often ask me about the daily commute I make between Wichita and McPherson,” says Kristie Sojka, library director. “My response is always this: when you enjoy what you do and feel supported by your administration and coworkers, you don’t even notice the almost two hours spent on the road each day.”
Community is central to McPherson College’s identity, according to President Schneider. “As our college community looks toward the future, faculty and staff are actively planning our current innovative strategic plan picking up where Community by Design left off. The strategic plan drove decision-making and much of the work we did over the last several years, and much of the work will continue as we focus on the future. In addition, we did all of it while balancing our operating budget and maintaining our overall enrollment and student retention. By working together, these plans will nurture the creative processes to sustain innovative academic ventures like the new Health Science program, continue supporting students to graduate with zero debt through the Student Debt Project, and transition MC from a traditional residential campus to a vibrant community.”
The Great Colleges to Work For® survey is one of the country’s largest and most respected workplace recognition programs. The survey conducted by ModernThink — an organization committed to improving workplace quality — recognizes the colleges that get top ratings from their employees regarding workplace practices and policies. This year more than 49,000 faculty and staff responded to the survey.