By Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – SEPT. 20, 2024 – UTRGV continues to set the standard for excellence — not just in education, but also in creating a welcoming, supportive work environment.

This year, the university is recognized as one of the best places to work in higher education, according to the prestigious Great Colleges to Work For program. 

The results were released today, Friday, Sept. 20, in a special insert to The Chronicle of Higher Education, and are based on a survey of 216 colleges and universities. Only 75 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies, placing UTRGV among a select group of top-performing schools in the country.

With record enrollment this semester of more than 34,000 students, UTRGV competes in the large university (more than 10,000) category, where it excelled in three key areas:

• Job Satisfaction & Support: Providing employees with the resources they need to succeed in their roles, including opportunities for growth and professional development.
• Compensation & Benefits: Offering a competitive benefits package that includes comprehensive healthcare, retirement plans, and support for work-life balance.
• Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging: Implementing numerous initiatives to foster a welcoming environment for employees regardless of roles or backgrounds while providing a deep commitment to promoting a sense of belonging and value among all UTRGV’s employees in all roles and backgrounds.

This recognition is particularly meaningful because it is based on direct feedback from the university’s employees.

WHAT SETS UTRGV APART

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said this recognition as a Great College to Work For is a testament to the commitment and passion of the people who work at UTRGV. 

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said this recognition as a Great College to Work For is a testament to the commitment and passion of the people who work at UTRGV.

“Feedback from our employee surveys highlights the positive culture we've cultivated,” he said, “one that values hard work, family, opportunity and gratitude. It’s an honor that reflects our ongoing efforts to create an environment where every team member feels supported and empowered.

“This achievement is not just a milestone for our university, but also a reflection of the vibrant community we serve and our collective mission to enhance the future of the Rio Grande Valley,” Bailey said.

Bailey said the high marks UTRGV earned in the three key areas underscore the university’s commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel supported, valued and empowered.

THE SURVEY PROCESS

What sets this recognition apart is its foundation: feedback from UTRGV’s own employees. The survey, conducted by ModernThink, anonymously captured the opinions of faculty, administrators and professional support staff. In total, UTRGV has more than 4,000 full-time employees, and when including part-time and student workers, the number exceeds 7,500. 

Nicole Englitsch, organizational development manager in UTRGV’s Human Resources department, provided insight.

“The survey was sent to a random sample of 600 full-time UTRGV employees,” she said. “The number of respondents was determined by ModernThink based on our institution's size. Out of those 600 employees, 122 were administrators, 183 exempt, 49 non-exempt, and 246 faculty.”

The Great Colleges to Work For program is one of the largest and most respected workplace recognition programs in the country, with institutions evaluated based on employee feedback and their workplace policies. 

For more information about the Great Colleges to Work For program and to view the full list of recognized institutions, visit GreatCollegesProgram.com and GreatCollegesList.com.