McKendree University recognized as ‘great college to work for’
McKendree University stands out among the “Great Colleges to Work For” named by The Chronicle of Higher Education, a top trade publication for colleges and universities.
The Chronicle’s ninth annual Report on The Academic Workplace, released Monday, is based on a survey of 281 colleges and universities.
Ninety-three institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition; of those, McKendree was among the 42 to earn honor roll status. Results are reported for small, medium and large institutions; McKendree is in the medium-size category of 3,000 to 9,999 total students. It has received the honor every year since 2010.
This year the university was honored in nine of 12 categories: collaborative governance, confidence in senior leadership, job satisfaction and support, professional and career development programs, respect and appreciation, supervisor or department chair relationship, teaching environment, tenure clarity and process, and work-life balance.
Employee feedback is the primary factor in determining “Great Colleges to Work For” recognition. 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 full-time employees.
To administer the survey and analyze the results, The Chronicle worked with ModernThink LLC, a strategic human capital consulting firm that conducts numerous “Best Places to Work” programs nationwide. For more information, visit www.chronicle.com.
Forbes magazine releases list of top colleges
Forbes releases list of top colleges in the country. The magazine ranked 660 institutions nationally.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is ranked 605th in top colleges, 223rd in public colleges and 144th in the Midwest.
The magazine’s criteria are based on return on investment. It assigned the greatest weight to success after graduation (32.5 percent), student debt (25 percent) and student satisfaction (25 percent).
“Students connect with SIUE through its passion for student learning,” Stephen Hansen, SIUE interim chancellor, said in a released statement. “Students are engaged through freshman seminar, experiential learning experiences, undergraduate research opportunities and senior assignment. The SIUE academic experience is enhanced and enriched by strong student support programs.”
Lindenwood professor co-authors article
Lindenwood University-Belleville Assistant Professor of Counseling Sarah Patterson-Mills was recently published in the trade magazine, National Career Developments, for an article she co-authored with Edward A. Mainzer, school, college, career and social justice counselor for the National Career Development Association.
The article, “Mismatch: Diversity in Management and the World of Work Compared to the Population Diversity,” discusses the challenges individuals face with regard to the gap between diversity in the United States and in the administrative and managerial landscape of the American workplace.
To read the article, visit www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/magazine.
SWIC professor elected vice chair of state board
Southwestern Illinois College Professor Emeritus Leo Welch of O’Fallon has been elected vice chair of the Illinois State Museum Board of Directors.
ISM Board Chair Lorin Nevling announced Welch’s new position at the June 30 reception for the reopening of the museum in Springfield. ISM exhibits and collections focus on the natural history (biology, zoology, botany and geology) and cultural and artistic history of Illinois. The museum was closed for nine months due to state budget constraints.
Welch said one of the top priorities as vice chair is to find a new executive director of the museum.
Welch taught biology full time at SWIC from 1970-2004 and now teaches on an adjunct basis. He was appointed to the museum board in 2013.
This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 12:24 PM with the headline "McKendree University recognized as ‘great college to work for’."