JMU recognized among 'Great Colleges to Work For'

James Madison University is recognized among “Great Colleges to Work For” in 2014. The annual survey is administered by ModernThink LLC for The Chronicle of Higher Education.

This year more than 43,500 faculty and staff members were surveyed at institutions across the country. Ninety-two colleges and universities are highlighted in one or more of the 12 recognition categories. Schools are grouped as either four-year or two-year institutions and by enrollment size.

JMU is included among large four-year colleges for its professional/career-development programs. According to the category description, “Employees get the chance to develop skills and they understand their requirements for career advancement. They agree with statements like ‘Our orientation program prepares new faculty, administration, and staff to be effective.’”

“One of the reasons we were recognized in the professional/career-development category is because we do some exceptional things to grow our own employees,” said Rick Larson, assistant vice president for human resources, training and performance.

Unlike many universities, JMU offers an extensive array of learning opportunities for employees through Training and Development, the Center for Faculty Innovation, Information Technology Training and JMU Libraries.

Approximately 600 JMU employees from all classifications were chosen at random and asked to complete the survey. In addition, various campus stakeholders were asked to respond to a series of questions about JMU that were submitted to the Great Colleges to Work For team.

JMU is one of seven Virginia schools to be recognized in one or more categories. The others are George Mason University, Washington and Lee University, Regent University, Blue Ridge Community College, Lord Fairfax Community College and Southside Virginia Community College.

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