McPherson College is a great place to work, according to a new survey by the Great Colleges to Work For® program. The results, appearing in a special edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education, recognize McPherson College for the ninth year in a row. McPherson College is also on the survey’s Honor Roll for the eighth year.
The results are based on a survey sent to over 103,000 faculty and staff at 194 colleges across the country. In all, just 72 of the 194 institutions achieved recognition on the list for specific practices and policies. Only 42 colleges were included on the Honor Roll, an elite group of institutions that are standouts within their enrollment size. McPherson College was recognized in 6 categories and was the only Kansas school earning recognition on the list.
“McPherson College continues to move forward boldly and with confidence, supported by its dedicated community of employees,” President Michael Schneider said. “As we embark on a future supported by the historic $1.5 billion endowment estate commitment, our employees are a vital part of our success. They continue to provide meaningful input on our strategic plan, which sets a focus on the next 10 years with initiatives aimed at campus growth, academic innovation, and wellness.”
President Schneider points to some basic practices, such as the college’s compensation plan and benefits including retirement contributions made after one year of employment, as reasons why people like working for McPherson College. Monthly all-campus meetings, called “huddles, where information is shared from across campus, foster community involvement. Programs like training from the Kansas Leadership Center, which develops adaptive problem-solving skills, and other significant professional development investments in the operating budget, sets McPherson College apart from other college campuses.
In a comment featured on the survey’s website, one McPherson College employee says, “I appreciate that I feel like I am a part of a team, and we are all working toward the same goal! I enjoy the small feeling of the campus community, as it is easier to get to know others from different departments. Everyone is willing to go the extra mile for our students.”
McPherson College was recognized in six categories including compensation & benefits, professional development, confidence in senior leadership, shared governance, faculty experience, and diversity, inclusion, & belonging.
“I appreciate how leadership approaches directing the college,” said Rick Tuxhorn, director of the endowment and former CFO, who has been with McPherson College for 12 years. “Our president, cabinet, and board are student-focused, innovative, forward-thinking, and believe in its employees. This is evidenced by how the president invests in the faculty and staff through compensation and benefits. When an organization can find and retain top-notch employees, the entire organization benefits, especially the students. This is one of the reasons I believe McPherson College is a great college to work for!”
Community is central to McPherson College’s identity, according to President Schneider. “As our college community looks toward the future, faculty and staff are actively planning our current innovative strategic plan. The plan drove decision-making and much of the work we did over the last several years, and much of the work will continue as we focus on the future. In addition, we did all of it while balancing our operating budget and maintaining our overall enrollment and student retention. By working together, these plans will nurture the creative processes to sustain innovative academic ventures like the new Health Science program, continue supporting students to graduate with zero debt through the Student Debt Project, and transition MC from a traditional residential campus to a vibrant community.”
The Great Colleges to Work For® survey is one of the country’s largest and most respected workplace recognition programs. The survey conducted by ModernThink — an organization committed to improving workplace quality — recognizes the colleges that get top ratings from their employees regarding workplace practices and policies.