UK named 'Great College to Work For' for 5th consecutive year
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 12, 2022) — The University of Kentucky remains a great college to work for, according to a survey conducted by ModernThink.
This is the sixth time — and fifth consecutive year — UK has received the honor.
Now in its 15th year, the Great Colleges to Work For program recognizes the colleges that get top ratings from their employees regarding workplace practices and policies. Among 212 participating colleges and universities, 68 institutions were recognized as a great college to work for.
“After 15 years of conducting The Great Colleges to Work For program, we have keen insight into many of the factors and dynamics that contribute to a truly engaged workforce…a compelling vision, inspiring leadership and a strong sense of community,” said Richard K. Boyer, principal and managing partner at ModernThink. “This year’s recognized institutions add to that list, demonstrating a tenacious commitment to doing right by their employees and modeling resiliency in a time of continued uncertainty and unforeseen challenges.”
UK was recognized for excellence in three categories:
- Compensation & Benefits
- Shared Governance
- Faculty Experience
The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institution questionnaire that captured employment data and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.
“Taking care of our people is one of the principles of our strategic plan,” said Gina Dugas, UK acting vice president and chief human resources officer. “It is so gratifying to receive this recognition because it is based on the direct feedback of our faculty and staff. This recognition is further evidence of the progress we continue to make supporting our employees to do their vital work every day.”
“This recognition is a reminder that it is our people that make this place so powerful,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “Thank you for all you do to make this place the university of, for and with Kentucky.”
The complete list of recognized institutions will be published in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education this Friday.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.