For the 10th time, Kent State University is being recognized as a “Great College to Work For,” according to the latest survey by the Great Colleges to Work For program. The program recognizes the colleges that get top ratings from their employees regarding workplace practices and policies.
Kent State is also named to the Great Colleges Honor Roll, a status granted to the top colleges that are highlighted most across the recognition categories. This year marks the first time that Kent State has received the prestigious Honor Roll status, which has been awarded to only 21 public institutions in the nation for 2021.
“Kent State provides an outstanding work culture created by our exemplary employees,” Kent State President Todd Diacon said. “Our commitment to a diverse and collaborative community is evident in our inclusive environment.”
Kent State won honors in multiple categories this year: Compensation and Benefits; Confidence in Senior Leadership; Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging; Faculty Experience; Faculty and Staff Well-Being; Mission and Pride; and Shared Governance. This is the first time the university has been honored in seven categories by the Great Colleges to Work For program, which is now in its 14th year.
In addition, Kent State is one of only four Ohio institutions, public and private, to receive the designation, joined by Cuyahoga Community College, Marietta College and Mount St. Joseph University.
The “Great Colleges to Work For” survey results, which are included in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are based on survey responses from almost 39,000 people at 196 colleges and universities. A total of 70 institutions, both public and private two- and four-year institutions, achieved “Great Colleges to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies.
The 2021 results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institution questionnaire that captured 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.
Kent State’s specific distinctions can be found on its college page at https://greatcollegesprogram.com/list/colleges/Kent-State-University.
The 2021 “Great Colleges to Work For” designation is the latest honor that Kent State has received for being a top employer. Forbes and Statista recently recognized Kent State as one of America’s Best-in-State Employers for 2021, coming in at No. 6 in Ohio in the education industry sector, and a Best Employer for Women 2021, ranking at No. 8 among colleges and universities and No. 57 overall in the nation.
Kent State employs about 5,000 full- and part-time employees across its eight-campus footprint.
For more information about the Great Colleges to Work For program and to view all current and previous recognized institutions, visit https://greatcollegesprogram.com. ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.
For more information about Kent State, visit www.kent.edu.
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Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595