Ole Miss Workplace Culture Earns National Recognition for 17th Year
Chronicle of Higher Education honor reflects faculty and staff experiences and satisfaction
OXFORD, Miss. – For the 17th time, the University of Mississippi has been named one of the Great Colleges to Work For in 2026.
The Chronicle of Higher Education released the results Friday (Sept. 18).
"At Ole Miss, our people are at the heart of everything we accomplish; they make this place special," Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. "Our workplace culture emphasizes collaboration, growth and genuine care, which is reflected in the 17 years that we have been recognized as a Great College to Work For."
Such recognition is significant. It reflects the experience of the people who work across the university's campuses, said Bradley Salters, chief human resources officer.
"Our focus is to create an environment where people have opportunities to grow, develop professionally and see a future for themselves at the university," he said. "That means offering competitive benefits, supporting career development, encouraging strong leadership and building a workplace where people understand how their contributions support the university's mission and student success.
Andy Mullins (left), former education professor, chief of staff to the chancellor and co-founder of the Mississippi Teacher Corps, helps a student with her graduation regalia. Mullins is among many UM employees who spent most of his career at Ole Miss. Photo by Hunt Mercier/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
"When our students succeed, that impact extends well beyond our campus, into communities across Mississippi, across the country and around the world."
The award is based on a survey of 171 colleges and universities. Seventy-six of those institutions achieved Great College to Work For recognition for specific best practices and policies. Ole Miss is included among the large universities with 10,000 or more students.
ModernThink, a research and consulting firm, conducted the two-part assessment process. It used a questionnaire to capture employment data and workplace polices and a survey administered to faculty, administrators and professional support staff.
The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was employee feedback.
The feedback resulted in the Ole Miss workplace excelling in four categories: job satisfaction and support, compensation and benefits, confidence in senior leadership, and faculty and staff well-being.
"One of the things I value most about Ole Miss is the opportunity people have to build a long-term career here," Salters said. "You can come to the university at one point in your career, continue learning and advancing, take on new opportunities and build a life here.
"That combination of purpose, growth and stability is something very special."
The university has created a system of support, and the award reflects that, Boyce said.
"It is a privilege to be part of a community of faculty, staff and administrators that all work together to support one another and our students, every single day," he said.
Top: Chancellor Glenn Boyce (left) congratulates staff members who have earned degrees during the annual Red and Blue Celebration of Achievement. Ole Miss employees are encouraged to continue their education and pursue opportunities to advance their careers, and their satisfaction and positive feedback helped the university be recognized as one of the Great Colleges to Work For in 2026. Photo by Hunt Mercier/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services