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Saginaw Valley State University

September 20, 2024

SVSU recognized as ‘2024 Great College to Work For’

three men in suits sharing a laugh

For the 9th time, Saginaw Valley State University has been named a Great College to Work For®. The 2024 recognition places the university in good company; 75 colleges and universities have earned the Great College to Work For designation this year. Recognized institutions were officially announced in a special insert in today’s (Sept. 20) issue of “The Chronicle of Higher Education.” Recognized schools are also listed at GreatCollegesList.com on the GreatCollegesProgram.com website. 

This year, SVSU earned honors in two of the 10 recognition categories: Compensation & Benefits and Shared Governance. The Compensation & Benefits recognition indicates SVSU faculty and staff perceive that they are compensated fairly and that their benefits are adequate. The Shared Governance category reflects the perception among SVSU faculty that they have a voice in the university’s governance processes and decision-making. 

“SVSU has been and remains an institution that puts people first,” said SVSU President George Grant Jr. “Everyone on campus — faculty, staff and students — contributes to that culture. This recognition is gratifying, but recognition isn’t our goal,” he added. “Our goal is to maintain an environment where people feel heard, respected and valued.”  

Institutions are selected as “Great Colleges” based on results of an online survey shared with faculty and staff at colleges and universities across the country. This year, 216 colleges and universities participated in the program, an 11% increase over 2023. SVSU is one of 75 institutions that achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium, and large institutions, with SVSU included among the medium universities with 3,000 to 9,999 students. 

ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.  

“As we emerge from the trauma of the last four years there’s been a lot of talk (and action!) around the well-being of faculty, staff, and students,” said Richard K. Boyer, chief culture strategist at ModernThink. “In the face of rising levels of burnout and mental health concerns, that focus on the individual members of our community has been critical. The 2024 Great Colleges participants have brought similar intentions to the well-being of the institution, not just its individual members. Their commitment to workplace quality and their stewardship of culture positions them well to navigate the continuing challenges higher education faces today.” 

SVSU ― which employs more than 700 people full time ― has made the list each of the nine years it applied. The list will be published on September 20 in a special insert of the “Chronicle of Higher Education.” It is also included in a special section of the Great Colleges Program website.  

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 previous recognized institutions, visit the Great Colleges program website at GreatCollegesProgram.com and GreatCollegesList.com.