Area universities judged as great places to work
Two metro Oklahoma City universities are on the list of 79 U.S. institutions recognized as Great Colleges to Work For in a report released Monday by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University both made the 2017 list. Each also was named to the honor role for its size category.
The results are based on responses from more than 45,000 people at 232 four-year and two-year institutions. The annual survey was administered March 14-April 15 and compiled by ModernThink LLC for The Chronicle.
UCO in Edmond has made the Great Colleges to Work For list every year except one since the survey began in 2008. The public four-year institution with about 16,500 students has been on the honor roll each year since 2014.
UCO President Don Betz said the continued recognition on the list mirrors the commitment of faculty and staff to the university’s mission.
“Our focus is to help students learn and to take care of one another. These characteristics have been cited by students, faculty, and staff as enduring traits,” Betz said.
“As challenges continue to plague higher education, Central’s faculty and staff are resilient in their dedication to our students, striving to guide students to become productive, creative ethical and engaged citizens and leaders within our community.”
The 2017 report ranks UCO among the best nationally in nine of the survey’s 12 categories: collaborative governance, confidence in senior leadership, job satisfaction and support, professional/career development programs, respect and appreciation, supervisor relationship, teaching environment, tenure clarity and process, and work/life balance.
Oklahoma City University is a private liberal arts college with about 2,700 students.
“We are focused on providing the highest quality learning environment for our students,” President Robert Henry said. “Our campus atmosphere is built around collaboration and community in order to provide a rich and creative place to work.”
OCU was recognized in six categories: collaborative governance, job satisfaction and support, teaching environment, tenure clarity and process, and work/life balance.