A 2021 survey issued to Harcum College employees revealed that 86 percent of employees believe Harcum College strongly values a sense of institutional mission and pride, while 87 percent feel the College values the well being of faculty and staff.

These and other responses to 55 questions (plus several additional faculty-specific questions) asked employees to evaluate the College across a range of organizational dynamics and managerial competencies identified in the 2021 Great Colleges to Work For annual survey of college and university employees. 

Ten of Harcum’s topline scores were categorized as “good to excellent,” from areas such as collaboration (75 percent) and job satisfaction/support (76 percent), thereby exceeding the national average of participating institutions in every category.

Other top scores included diversity, inclusion and belonging, at 86 percent, while supervisor/department chair effectiveness also received high marks at 84 percent.

This year marked Harcum’s first participation in the national program designed to recognize colleges and universities and their efforts to create strong workplaces. The questionnaire had a 42.7 percent response rate (or 157 total respondents).

Hunt Bartine, the college‘s Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer, considered that a strong response for a first-time survey.

“It’s important to maintain strong engagement with employees,” Bartine said. “Our survey results validate our efforts to create a family atmosphere. It also serves as a source to identify needs that exist and is likely to result in some action plans in response to the data.”

Now in its 14th year, the Great Colleges to Work For program conducts research to better understand the factors, dynamics, and influences that have the most impact on organizational culture at higher education institutions. This year’s program included 196 colleges from across the country: 120 four-year and 76 two-year institutions. 

The survey questions measure critical organizational dynamics and managerial competencies. In addition, the instrument provides insight into the quality and health of various relationships that ultimately have a direct impact on an institution’s culture and the daily experiences of their employees. This year’s survey made intentional efforts to align with the current themes of workplace engagement such as diversity, inclusion and belonging; faculty and staff well-being, and performance management.