Ļć½¶Ö±²„

Contact: Checky Herrington

STARKVILLE, Miss.ā€”For the eighth consecutive year, Ļć½¶Ö±²„ has been honored as an exemplary employer by the Great Colleges to Work For recognition program.

The latest results released this week in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education are based on survey feedback from Ļć½¶Ö±²„employees. Out of 194 colleges and universities surveyed, only 50 applicants representing four-year institutions achieved Great Colleges to Work For status. Results are reported for small, medium and large institutions, with Mississippi State included among large universities with 10,000 or more students.

ā€œThis honor is especially meaningful because it reflects the voices of Mississippi Stateā€™s faculty and staff,ā€ Ļć½¶Ö±²„President Mark E. Keenum. ā€œThey are committed to creating a world-class learning environment for students, including the largest freshman class in Ļć½¶Ö±²„history. Our ability to provide a workplace that inspires excellence is essential in carrying out our mission of teaching, research and service.ā€

Also for the eighth consecutive year, Ļć½¶Ö±²„was named to the Great Colleges Honor Roll for achieving outstanding results in multiple recognition categories. This year, Ļć½¶Ö±²„received top scores in six of 10 categories: job satisfaction and support, compensation and benefits, mission and pride, confidence in senior leadership, shared governance, and faculty experience.

The Great Colleges to Work For program is one of the largest and most respected workplace recognition programs in the country. Now in its 16th year, it recognizes colleges that get top marks from employees regarding workplace practices and policies.

Survey results are based on a two-part assessment processā€”an institution questionnaire that captures employment data and workplace policies, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators and professional support staff. ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administers the survey and analyzes results.

ā€œParticipation in the Great Colleges program alone demonstrates a commitment from colleges to opening a dialogue with their faculty and staff,ā€ said Karen Kukulka, chief operating officer at ModernThink. ā€œPair that commitment with recognition in a key area of engagement, and youā€™ve got a group of institutions who are putting the best practices of employee engagement to work ā€“ they are walking the talk.ā€

The final survey instrument was developed by a panel comprising representatives of two- and four-year institutions with expertise in research, diversity, administration and other areas.

Mississippi State places great value on being an employer of choice and aims to provide an empowering workplace environment that focuses year-round on growth, advancement and recognition. The university also offers programs designed to support employees with varied interests and training needs.

ā€œOur eighth appearance in the Great Colleges to Work For program is a very satisfying affirmation for Mississippi State,ā€ said Keenum. ā€œWeā€™re always working to cultivate a community that values the needs and contributions of every individual, and the insights gained each year are valuable in our efforts to learn, grow and improve.ā€