Ole Miss Named to Great Colleges to Work For List for 16th Year

The Chronicle of Higher Education released its yearly Great Colleges to Work For list on Friday (Sept 19), recognizing Ole Miss and 76 other schools from a pool of 199 U.S. institutions.

"This designation directly reflects the extraordinary contributions of our people and their genuine care for one another," Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. "Every role on this campus plays an integral part in creating a supportive environment that elevates how we serve our students and state.

"Our people are what make us special, and I am grateful to be a part of this wonderful campus community."

The Great Colleges to Work For program is one of the country's largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs. Using feedback from each university's employees, the program includes two assessment processes conducted and analyzed by ModernThink, an organizational development firm with expertise in best workplace practices.

Review of school policies and practices are weighed during the decision process.

Earning recognition for the 16th year reflects the excellence and passion of Ole Miss faculty, staff and administrators who "create the environment that makes our university so special," said Bryce Drew, the university's director of compensation and recruiting.

"People, culture and community can be difficult to measure, but recognitions like this affirm what we experience every day: employee dedication, collaboration and pride that define our campus," he said.

"We are privileged to build on the work of those who came before us, and we embrace the responsibility to make it even better for the generations of faculty, staff and students who will follow."

This year, Ole Miss received honors in categories such as mission and pride, which illustrates that UM employees understand the university's mission and how their jobs influence its success.

Additionally, employees indicated they enjoy working at Ole Miss and would recommend the institution to others. Programs such as the university's Red, Blue and Well initiative offer a growing list of employee wellness services and resources to support preventative, physical, mental and social wellness.

Earlier this year, Ole Miss completed View2022, an initiative to build a new classification and compensation structure to both attract and retain personnel, as well as provide clear paths for job growth.

The university improved survey results from 2024 in every area measured. The care and investment of campus employees and the greater Ole Miss community play major roles in helping the institution shine, Drew said.

"Thank you to our community for the long days, the extra effort, the behind-the-scenes work and the care you show for our students, colleagues and community every single day," he said.

"This recognition wouldn't be possible without you. You make it happen, and your contributions create our University of Mississippi culture."

Top: Ole Miss faculty and staff members stroll through the Grove during a Flagship Friday wellness walk earlier this month. The university’s Red, Blue and Well initiative, which organizes events and resources to promote employee well-being in a holistic manner, is among the factors that helped the university make the 2025 listing of Great Colleges to Work For. Photo by Srijita Chattophadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services