University of Kentucky named a 2025 'Great College to Work For'
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 19, 2025) — The University of Kentucky has been recognized as one of the nation’s Great Colleges to Work For®, according to a survey released today in The Chronicle of Higher Education in partnership with ModernThink LLC.
UK earned honors in the compensation and benefits category. The Great Colleges to Work For® program is one of the largest and most respected workplace recognition programs in the country. Now in its 18th year, it recognizes the colleges that receive top ratings from their employees regarding workplace practices and policies.
In 2025, 199 institutions participated in the program, including 123 four-year institutions and 76 two-year institutions. Of those, 76 were recognized as a Great College to Work For, including 54 four-year institutions and 22 two-year institutions.
Recognition is based primarily on feedback from faculty and staff collected through the ModernThink Higher Education Insight Survey©, which measures workplace practices and policies, employee engagement, and the overall faculty and staff experience.
“Resilient, courageous and committed — these are the words that come to mind as I reflect on the institutions recognized in this year’s program,” said Richard K. Boyer, chief culture strategist at ModernThink. “Their leaders inspire others and foster strong communities. They understand that student success is deeply tied to the success of faculty and staff — and their commitment to both never wavers, in good times or in times of challenge.”
At UK, that culture is reflected in efforts to provide employees with meaningful opportunities for growth and support — from professional development and wellness resources to competitive benefits and programs that promote work-life integration. Together, these initiatives underscore the university’s commitment to being a place where people can thrive in their careers while contributing to the broader mission of service to Kentucky.
“This recognition is especially gratifying because it is a direct result of feedback from our faculty and staff,” said Melissa Frederick, vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer. “We know that if we are going to do more and be more for the Commonwealth, we need to be a place where the very best employees want to work. Earning recognition as a Great College to Work For is the latest sign that we continue to make progress.”
Building on this recognition, UK is once again inviting employee voices through its campuswide surveys. Both the UK HealthCare and UK at Work employee engagement surveys are open through Sept. 26, encouraging faculty and staff to provide feedback that will shape the university’s future.
As the Commonwealth’s flagship, land-grant institution, UK’s ability to advance Kentucky depends on the people who work here. Being named a Great College to Work For affirms the importance of listening to employees and fostering a culture that makes their work possible.
For more information about the Great Colleges to Work For® program, visit greatcollegesprogram.com or greatcollegeslist.com.
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.