By Tere Estorino….
Miami Dade College (MDC) is one of the nation’s best colleges to work for, according to a new survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
For the second year in a row, the major publication has announced that MDC has been selected for its Great Colleges to Work For program. More than 42,000 college employees and nearly 300 institutions nationwide participated in the application process.
This program is higher education’s version of the popular Fortune magazine survey, with one key difference: It does not rank institutions in one big list. Instead, the program recognizes select groups of colleges for specific best practices and policies, such as tenure clarity, collaborative governance, work/life balance, teaching environment, security, compensation and benefits, and others. The program results, including recognized institutions, were published in The Chronicle’s Academic Supplement in July.
MDC was recognized in three categories as part of the process. In the Work Environment category, the college was recognized for Respect and Appreciation. It also was lauded in the Diversity category. In the Institutional Policies category, MDC was recognized for Professional/Career Development.
“I am very proud of this distinction, especially during a time when many challenges continue in higher education. Our students, faculty and staff truly make MDC a great college to work for,’” said Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, president of Miami Dade College.
The process consisted of two online surveys: the ModernThink Institution Questionnaire (IQ) completed by one or more management representatives at each institution, and the ModernThink Higher Education Insight Survey (Climate/ Engagement assessment) completed by a random sample of full-time and adjunct faculty members, administrators, and professional support staff at each institution.
Results from both of these surveys were used in the assessment process that included analysis of demographic data and workplace policies at each of the participating institutions.
The program also is designed to help colleges improve as workplaces through the individual reports they receive, so The Chronicle names only those institutions that have scored well enough to be recognized in any category. There was no cost to participate and the program was open to all non-profit higher education institutions.
The Chronicle is the nation’s most important source of news about colleges and universities.
“With the Great Colleges program, the Chronicle can provide even more of the vital information our readers rely on – unbiased reporting on which colleges are being innovative in their workplace practices.” said Jeffrey J. Selingo, the Chronicle’s editor.
MDC joins Harvard, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, USC, Notre Dame and other prestigious institutions on list of colleges recognized.
