Rio Salado College has once again been recognized as one of the best colleges to work for in the nation, earning the prestigious "Great Colleges to Work For®" designation in 2024. This marks a continuation of the college's excellence, following its previous recognition in 2021.
The results were released Sept. 20 on the Great Colleges Program web page, and via a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education sent digitally and in print to subscribers. They 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.
The 2024 Great Colleges to Work For® program, administered by ModernThink LLC, surveyed employees from a wide range of higher education institutions across the country. Rio Salado stood out among its peers, demonstrating exceptional workplace practices and policies.
Areas of Excellence
Rio Salado College received top recognition in several key categories:
- Compensation & Benefits;
- Professional Development;
- Confidence in Senior Leadership;
- Faculty & Staff Well-being;
- Shared Governance;
- Faculty Experience
Additionally, the college was named as one of only 42 colleges to the Great Colleges Honor Roll, a distinction reserved for institutions that excel across multiple survey categories.
Leadership Perspective
"This honor reflects our commitment to creating an exceptional workplace through the dedication and collaboration of our entire college community," said President Kate Smith.
Assessment Process
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.
Continuous Improvement
The College's participation in this program demonstrates its commitment to self-reflection and growth. The survey provides valuable insights into areas of strength and opportunities for improvement, allowing Rio Salado to continually enhance its work environment.
In addition to the survey, the college works to build a community of wellness and professional development. Recently, Rio Salado received the Gold Award from the Health Arizona Worksite Program. Employees are currently taking part in district wide professional development, Performance Success, focusing on a strong coaching culture and building collaborative relationships where individual and team growth are a priority.
Join the Rio Salado Family
With this renewed recognition, Rio Salado College continues to position itself as an employer of choice in higher education. The college invites talented individuals to explore employment opportunities and join its mission of making higher learning equitable and accessible for all.
The latest job openings can be found at www.maricopa.edu/careers.
About Great Colleges to Work For®
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.