SRU named a “Great College to Work For;” Earns place on national honor roll
Sept. 16, 2019
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Today, in a special announcement to campus via the University Facebook page, Slippery Rock University President William Behre announced that the University was selected for the ninth time as one of the nation's "Great Colleges to Work For" by ModernThink, a research and consulting leader in workplace issues. ModernThink has supported a wide variety of “Best Place to Work” initiatives. Through these programs, the firm has gained substantial survey and industry expertise, including specific insight into higher education.
Behre sweetened the announcement by revealing that for the first time in the history of the program, the University had been named to the National Honor Roll. Honor Roll status is reserved for those institutions that were cited most often across all recognition categories.
SRU was recognized in a record six categories:
• Collaborative Governance: Faculty members are appropriately involved in decisions related to academic programs.
• Compensation and Benefits: Pay is fair and benefits meet the needs of employees.
• Confidence in Senior Leadership: Leaders have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience for institutional success.
• Professional/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.
• Tenure Clarity and Process (four-year colleges only): Requirements for tenure are clear according to faculty.
"Earning a spot among the elite 42 institutions named to the National Honor Roll is indeed a coveted reward earned by each and every one of our staff and faculty," Behre said. "SRU's people-centric culture is at the core of why this is a great place to work. People at every level come to work and stay at SRU because they believe in our mission and are empowered to make a difference. In fact, a consistent narrative among employees is that they came to SRU with the intent to stay for a short time and end up 'staying a lifetime.' Certainly providing good wages and benefits add to the institution's attractiveness, but its real value is how people are respected and engaged in the life of the University."
Daniel Greenstein, chancellor of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education, joined Behre in the announcement congratulating faculty and staff for "their hard work and commitment." Greenstein went on to say he was proud of the work by front-line personnel in creating an exceptional place to learn, grow and work. "You are an example of how our state system universities continue to be such an important part of their communities."
The "2019 Great Colleges to Work For" survey is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. Now in its 12th year, it recognizes those institutions that get top ratings from their employees regarding workplace practices and policies.
This year, 236 institutions participated, including 152 four-year institutions and 84 two-year institutions. Of those, 85 were recognized as a Great College to Work For, including 60 four-year institutions and 25 two-year institutions. SRU was one of only 42 institutions to earn Honor Roll recognition.
The Great Colleges survey included a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit that captured demographics and workplace policies, and a survey administered to randomly selected faculty, administrators and support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.
"We couldn't be happier with the results of this year's survey," said Lynne Motyl, SRU chief human resources officer. "The University would like to thank all the employees that took the time to provide their feedback on what makes SRU a great place to work. It is incredibly satisfying to know that our employees felt strongly enough about the institution to make their voices heard, feel that the University is having a positive impact on them across so many areas, and to recognize the institution for that."
Motyl, Carrie Birckbichler, SRU chief data officer and Rita Abent, SRU chief communication and public affairs officer, were responsible for leading the survey project.
MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robb.king@sru.edu