(Posted July 21, 2014)

Thorpe Halloran, an environmental science professor, explains a concept in a classroom. Juniata was recognized in the Chronicle poll for Teaching Environment.
Thorpe Halloran, an environmental science professor, explains a concept in a classroom. Juniata was recognized in the Chronicle poll for Teaching Environment.

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College, which has been a thriving employer in Huntingdon County since its founding in 1876, is one of 92 colleges or universities nationwide named as a "Great College to Work For" in the Chronicle of Higher Education 2014 survey.

The 2014 poll is the sixth time Juniata has been singled out since the poll began in 2008. Juniata has been placed on the poll's "Honor Roll" four times previously. Indeed, Juniata has been named as a "Great Place to Work" every year since the Chronicle of Higher Education began the poll in 2008.

Juniata was recognized in the "Small College" division (499 employees or fewer) in three out of 12 categories. The survey is based on responses to the Chronicle from more than 45,000 administrators, faculty members and staff members at 300 colleges and universities, as well as community colleges, across the country. The poll covered 278 four-year institutions (196 four-year institutions) and 82 two-year institutions.

"As I move into my second year working as president of Juniata, it's easy to see why the Chronicle of Higher education has recognized us as a welcoming and supportive workplace," says James Troha, president of Juniata. "I believe six straight years of recognition is a testament to Juniata's belief in giving employees room to be challenged, grow and thrive."

The Chronicle of Higher Education survey, which was administered by ModernThink LLC, a human resources consulting firm based in Wilmington, Del. that has conducted numerous "Best Places to Work" programs, surveying hundreds of thousands of employees nationwide, found that Juniata rated highly in the following categories: Compensation & Benefits, Teaching Environment (Faculty Only); and Tenure Clarity & Process.

"As I move into my second year working as president of Juniata, it's easy to see why the Chronicle of Higher education has recognized us as a welcoming and supportive workplace. I believe six straight years of recognition is a testament to Juniata's belief in giving employees room to be challenged, grow and thrive."

James A. Troha, Juniata president

"The institutions that the Great Colleges program recognizes provide innovative educational experiences -- while also offering their employees outstanding workplace experiences -- and we are eager to help readers learn more about them," says Liz McMillen, editor of the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Of the 300 colleges and universities polled, 92 were recognized as a Great Place to Work. To gain recognition as a Great Place to Work, an institution must be recognized in at least one of 12 categories

The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit that captured demographics 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 employee feedback.

The Chronicle's published survey results named only those institutions that scored high enough to be recognized in a particular category. Of the employees polled nationwide, 43,516 faculty, professional staff and administrators completed the surveys.

The colleges and universities participating in the survey were representative of one of five classifications set by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching: research universities with "very high" research activity; doctoral/research universities; master's colleges and universities; and baccalaureate colleges for arts and sciences.

Each institution participating in the survey was asked to submit a list of employees randomly selected from administration, faculty and professional support staff. The sample size for the survey was either 400 or 600, depending on the size of the institution.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.