University Ranks Among 'Great Colleges to Work For' for 15th Year
UM scores highest in mission, pride and faculty and staff well-being
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi is again one of the nation's "Great Colleges to Work For," according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.
This is the 15th year that the university has been named a Great College to Work For, one of the largest and most respected workplace recognition programs in the country.
"I am immensely proud of our faculty, staff and administrators who have collectively fostered a culture of support and excellence on our campus," Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. "Their unwavering commitment to the university's mission and to each other has created an environment where our employees can thrive and feel valued.
"Being recognized again as a Great College to Work For is a testament to their daily efforts in making our institution not just a workplace, but a community."
The university scored especially well in faculty and staff well-being and in mission and pride, where more than 75% of respondents ranked it as very good or excellent.
Ole Miss staff members enjoy painting as part of Staff Appreciation Week activities on campus. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Wellness has been a focus of the last year at Ole Miss, particularly with the recent revamp of the Red, Blue and Well program, which provides wellness resources, services and programming across campus. Ole Miss is also entering the final stages of its View2022 project, which aims to redesign the classification and compensation structure for staff members, bringing wages to a competitive level across campus.
"We are a great place to work because of our people," said Andrea Jekabsons, chief human resources officer. "That's why we want to offer an encouraging and supportive environment where our employees' well-being is paramount.
"We know that programs like Red, Blue and Well don't just affect faculty and staff; those benefits contribute to our campus culture and are passed down to our students every day."
Employee feedback is the primary factor in deciding whether an institution receives recognition. Results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional questionnaire that captured employment data and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey completed by faculty, administrators and professional support staff.
For more information and to view all the survey results, visit the Great Colleges Program website.
Top: Chancellor Glenn Boyce (center) chats with University of Mississippi staff members in Martindale-Cole Hall. The Chronicle of Higher Education has named the university among its Great Colleges to Work For for the 15th year. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services