Buffalo State Among Chronicle's '2012 Great Colleges to Work For'

For the second year in a row, the Chronicle of Higher Education has selected Buffalo State as a "Great College to Work For."

The 2012 results, released this week in the Chronicle’s fifth annual report on the academic workplace, are based on a survey of more than 47,000 employees at 294 colleges and universities nationwide, including small, medium, and large two-year and four-year colleges. In all, only 103 of the institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies.

Among large four-year colleges and universities—those with 10,000 or more students—Buffalo State was one of 10 institutions to receive special recognition in the following categories:

- Collaborative Governance: “Faculty members play significant roles in decisions related to academic programs.”

- Teaching Environment: “Faculty members say the institution recognizes innovative and high-quality teaching.”

"Through the wonderful work of my colleagues, I am reminded on daily basis that Buffalo State is truly a great place to work," said President Aaron Podolefsky. "And it is no surprise that Buffalo State was noted for its teaching environment and collaborative decision-making for academic programs. Our talented faculty members possess a great passion for teaching and providing individualized instruction to their students. Both our faculty and staff have a dedication to excellence that is evident in all that they do; and when our employees are satisfied with their working environment, it translates into better experiences for our students."

The "Great Colleges" survey included a two-part assessment process: consulting firm ModernThink LLC administered a survey to employees, and an institutional audit captured demographics and workplace policies at each institution. Feedback from faculty and staff was the biggest factor in determining which colleges and universities made the list. Roughly 250 Buffalo State administrators, faculty members, and staff members provided anonymous survey responses online in March and April as part of the program.

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