(Posted July 26, 2010)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College, an employer of more than 420 faculty and staff, most of whom live in Huntingdon County, was named as one of 39 four-year and two-year colleges and universities nationwide to merit placement on the Honor Roll in the Chronicle of Higher Education 2010 "Great Colleges to Work For" survey.

The Honor Roll, now in its third year of existence, recognizes the top 10 colleges in each size category (and the top three in each category for community colleges) based on the number of mentions an institution earned in individual recognition categories. Juniata was one of 30 four-year institutions to make the honor roll. The remaining nine institutions on the honor roll are two-year colleges.

"Juniata's sense of community is well known among its employees, students and alumni and I'm extremely proud that our ability to create a welcoming workplace is being recognized. Our employees are second to none and our being placed on the survey's Honor Roll reflects the care we all take in making Juniata one of the top colleges in the nation."

Thomas R. Kepple, Juniata president

Juniata was rated in the "Small College" division (499 employees or fewer) in eight out of 12 categories. The survey is based on responses to the Chronicle from more than 43,000 administrators, faculty members and staff members at 275 colleges and universities, as well as community colleges, across the country. The survey was completed at 89 institutions in 2008 and at 247 institutions in 2009.

"Juniata's sense of community is well known among its employees, students and alumni and I'm extremely proud that our ability to create a welcoming workplace is being recognized," says Thomas R. Kepple, president of Juniata. "Our employees are second to none and our being placed on the survey's Honor Roll reflects the care we all take in making Juniata one of the top colleges in the nation."

The Chronicle of Higher Education survey, which was administered by ModernThink LLC, a human resources consulting firm based in Wilmington, Del. that has conducted numerous "Best Places to Work" programs, surveying hundreds of thousands of employees nationwide, found that Juniata rated highly in the following categories: Collaborative Governance, where faculty are appropriately involved in decisions related to academic programs; Professional/Career Development Programs; Teaching Environment, a rating for how the institution recognizes innovative and high-quality teaching; Facilities Workspace and Security, which recognizes campus appearance and steps taken to provide a secure environment; Confidence in Senior Leadership, which rates leaders for the skills, knowledge and experience necessary for institutional success; Respect and Appreciation, where employees are recognized for contributions; Job Satisfaction; Work-Life Balance, where policies allow employees to manage their personal lives; and Confidence in Senior Leadership, where the colleges leaders possess the skills and experience necessary for success.

Of the 275 colleges and universities polled, 97 were recognized as a Great Place to Work. To gain recognition as a great Place to Work, an institution must be recognized in at least one of 12 categories

The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit that captured demographics 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 employee feedback.

"Even in a down economy when many colleges are freezing salaries or having layoffs, employees still find good in their work," says Jeffrey J. Selingo, editor, The Chronicle of Higher Education. "Great workplaces are about more than dollars and cents. The Great Colleges to Work For don't always pay the best, but they have created environments where people feel appreciated and valued."

Juniata was rated based on the answers to a survey from a representative sample of 400 to 600 employees participate in the survey. The Chronicle's published survey results named only those institutions that scored high enough to be recognized in a particular category. Of the employees polled nationwide, approximately 20,000 were faculty, 14,800 were considered professional staff, and 8,100 were administrators.

The colleges and universities participating in the survey were representative of one of five classifications set by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching: research universities with "very high" research activity; doctoral/research universities; master's colleges and universities; and baccalaureate colleges for arts and sciences.

Each institution participating in the survey was asked to submit a list of employees randomly selected from administration, faculty and professional support staff. The sample size for the survey was either 400 or 600, depending on the size of the institution.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.