Loma Linda University Named a Great College to Work For by Chronicle of Higher Education
From News Release, July 18, 2017: Loma Linda University (LLU), the leading Adventist institution for the health sciences, was recognized as a great institution to work for in a new survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education, a top publication for colleges and universities. The results were released this week in the journal’s 10th annual report on the Academic Workplace and are based on a survey of more than 45,000 people from 232 colleges and universities. Of that number, 79 institutions made the list as one of the “Great Colleges to Work For.”
Results were categorized by small, medium and large institutions, and LLU was included among the medium-sized schools with 3,000 to 9,999 students. It won honors in five categories this year: confidence in senior leadership; job satisfaction; professional/career development programs; supervisor/department chair relationship; and work/life balance.
In acknowledging the honor, Dr. Richard H. Hart, LLU president, said the faculty and staff offer outstanding teaching and dedicated service to the approximately 4,500 students in the university’s eight schools. “Our entire university team shares a strong commitment to extending the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ,” Hart said. “I am so grateful for the passion, excellence and the commitment to our values each of them exhibits. Their devotion to sharing their knowledge and expertise with our students inspires me.”
In addition to attractive medical and dental benefits, retirement plan, paid leave and sick leave, educational and adoption benefits, an onsite free gym and a variety of services through the Living Whole wellness program. This program fosters an environment of health and well being by providing free services and resources to aid employees and their families in the journey of health and wellness. This includes health screening and programs for weight loss, smoking cessation, nutrition support, exercise, personal health coaching and financial wellness. Free counseling services are also available through the employee assistance program.
The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit that captured demographics, benefits, communication, and workplace policies, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and support staff. A primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.
Dr. Ronald L. Carter, LLU provost, said “We appreciate the dedication of each and every one of our more than 3,200 employees. Visitors, particularly the many accreditation teams that visit our campus, remark on the palpable sense of unity; a family of faculty, staff, and students who are glued together by whole person care, academic excellence, and service to the world. We are small enough to know each other, and large enough to impact our community, both regionally and globally.”
The mission of Christ as understood by the Adventist faith includes healing ministry to the sick and suffering as well as efforts to promote wellness for individuals, families, communities and the planet. This is a theological and practical heritage from Ellen G. White and the other founders of the denomination. She played a key role in the establishment of LLU.
