Hot Springs college one of 18 most promising workplaces
HOT SPRINGS — National Park College was recently recognized as one of 18 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development.
The award was made by the institute in partnership with Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, and the college was one of eight schools to receive a perfect score.
According to a news release, the award is presented annually to community and technical colleges “who show a commitment to diversity through best-in-class student and staff recruitment and retention practices, inclusive learning and working environments, and meaningful community service and engagement opportunities.”
According to Darla Thurber, chief diversity officer for the college, prioritizing and celebrating diversity are part of the college’s strategic plan.
“I think we’ve done a good job of focusing on (diversity), but having a designated person waking up each day thinking of how we can be more inclusive on campus has helped,” she said. “One of the initiatives of our strategic plan is diversity, celebrating it and focusing on finding and eliminating those institutional barriers to our students.”
Through the NPC Cultural Diversity Awareness Club, Thurber helped to establish the “We Belong” guest speaker series this year which provided the campus and community opportunities to better understand and appreciate diverse cultures and heritages. On April 4, the series closed with a panel discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities facing diverse populations.
The college also encourages faculty engagement on campus through employee wellness programs and National Park Leadership Academy, and by volunteering in the community. The Leadership Academy was established two years ago, Thurber said, and is a yearlong leadership development program geared toward preparing faculty and staff for future management opportunities.
Accepting on behalf of the college was Janet Brewer, vice president for human resources.
According to Brewer, the college’s minority recruitment percentage increased to 21 percent for the 2017-2018 school year and for the second consecutive year, there was no pay gap between male and female faculty.