Malone University named a 2024 “Great College to Work For” Honor Roll recipient

The results, released on Friday September 20, are based on a survey of 216 colleges and universities. In all, 75 of those institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium, and large institutions, with Malone included among the small universities.

Malone was also named to the Great Colleges Honor Roll, a status granted to only 42 colleges each year who are highlighted most across the recognition categories.

Malone University received honors in six (6) of ten categories this year:

Confidence in Senior Leadership-- This recognition category is based on the expressed confidence faculty and staff report in the capabilities and credibility of senior leadership. In the Great Colleges to Work For program, “senior leadership” is defined as the most senior members of the institution (e.g., Malone’s presidential cabinet).

Faculty Experience-- Faculty have a unique role in the life of a university and there are some elements of their specific employment experience – the support for advancement and promotion opportunities and the perceived balance of teaching, service, and research, for example – that are uniquely viewed through the faculty lens. This recognition category is based on the faculty responses to the survey items addressing these topics.

Faculty & Staff Well-being (New to Malone in 2024) -- With roots in work/life balance and wellness models, this recognition category is based on the impact of one’s employment experience on their well-being (e.g., the opportunity to do meaningful work, the support for work/life balance and the experience of a safe working environment).

Mission & Pride (New to Malone in 2024) -- Understanding an institution’s mission and how one’s job impacts that mission are considered primary drivers to faculty/staff engagement. In addition to mission understanding, this category is based on survey items that provide insight into the level of pride in being associated with the institution and the willingness to recommend the institution as an employer.

Shared Governance-- The concept of shared governance is one of the most widely valued and deeply respected traditions within higher education. For many faculty, it is a core part of their experience. Consequently, this recognition category is based on Faculty responses to the survey items on collaborative governance processes and decision-making. We also include the responses of Adjunct Faculty respondents from two-year institutions.

Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness-- It is widely regarded that the experience of one’s immediate supervisor is among the most important factors influencing whether an employee is truly engaged. This recognition category is based on the survey items providing insight into critical managerial competencies such as providing clear direction and constructive feedback and ensuring effective communication and equitable treatment.

“While receiving this affirmation of Malone is both exciting and deeply satisfying, our chief goal is not the recognition – it’s seeing the many ways that our faculty and staff members demonstrate servant leadership to our students every day,” said Greg Miller, Ph.D., president. “As we disciple our students toward Christ, the fruits of that labor have an awesome ripple effect. We are a relational community rooted in Jesus and it shows!”  

The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institution questionnaire that captures 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. 

“If you’re seeking inspiration, look no further than the 2024 Great Colleges to Work For Honor Roll institutions,” said Richard K. Boyer, chief culture strategist at ModernThink. “Their commitment to the quality of the workplace experience for of their faculty and staff has been steadfast and the spirit of resilience they’ve cultivated brings the members of these institutions together in ways that inspire confidence, community, and optimism.”

The Great Colleges to Work For® program is one of the largest and most respected workplace recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all current and previously recognized institutions, visit the Great Colleges program website at GreatCollegesProgram.com and GreatCollegesList.com. ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.