POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks was named one of the 2020 Great Colleges to Work For by “The Chronicle for Higher Education” on Sept. 14.
Of those that participated, College of the Ozarks is one of only three colleges to be recognized in Missouri and one of only two to receive recognition in the category of Compensation and Benefits. College of the Ozarks has participated in the Great Colleges survey for seven years and has received a recognition every year it has participated. Only six percent of colleges have been recognized seven or more times since the survey’s inception.
“For me, the best part about working at C of O is that I can foster growth in my students in the classroom, as employees, and as Christians,” said Tamara Holder, associate professor of agriculture, agronomy supervisor, and beef farm manager. “Working in agriculture allows you to see what I would call ‘daily miracles.’ Sometimes in life, we get busy, and we forget to stop and marvel at all God has created. Working with the beef farm and agronomy workstations, we are given constant reminders to be grateful for how God has blessed us.”
The Great Colleges program included responses from over 40,000 employees at 221 colleges (127 four-year and 94 two-year institutions). The survey was sent to over 96,000 faculty and staff across the country with an overall response rate of 42.5 percent.
The assessment has two components — a questionnaire about institutional characteristics and a faculty/staff questionnaire about individuals’ evaluations of their institutions. The assessment also included an analysis of demographic data and workplace policies, including benefits, at each participating college.
“I value the stability of our mission and the fact it’s unchanged since the school began in 1906,” said Dr. Stacy McNeill, chair of performing and professional arts. “The five tenets of the mission (academic, vocational, cultural, patriotic, and Christian) also serve as reminders to me, on a daily basis, to endeavor to not only fill students’ heads with knowledge but also encourage development of their hearts and hands. These acknowledgements from Great Colleges to Work For validate the united effort of staff, administration, and faculty to honor the full breadth of our mission.”
Results reported are in their respective categories — small, medium, and large institutions — with College of the Ozarks included among the small universities of 2,999 students or fewer.
“College of the Ozarks is pleased to be one of the 2020 Great Colleges to Work For,” said College President Jerry C. Davis. “While benefits and salary contribute to employee longevity, many employees would agree that working for an institution that makes a positive difference is rewarding. The College’s vision to ‘develop citizens of Christ-like character who are well-educated, hardworking, and patriotic’ fosters a workplace where Christ, students, and employees are honored.”
To view the results of the survey, visit https://greatcollegesprogram.com/list/