TWICE AS NICE: UTRGV recognized for second consecutive year as a Great College to Work For

By News and Media Relations

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – SEPT. 19, 2025 – For the second consecutive year, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been recognized as one of the Great Colleges to Work For^®, underscoring its commitment to fostering a positive campus culture and enhancing the employee experience.

UTRGV is among only 76 institutions across the country awarded the 2025 Great College to Work For^® distinction, based on direct feedback from faculty and staff. The Great Colleges to Work For^® program, now in its 18^th year, is one of the most respected workplace recognition initiatives in the United States, highlighting colleges that receive top ratings from employees regarding workplace practices and policies. 

As UTRGV celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, President Guy Bailey said the recognition highlights the university’s emergence as one of the premier workplaces in higher education.

“This honor emphasizes the positive culture we’ve created together – one that values support, empowerment and opportunity,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “This achievement not only recognizes our ongoing efforts for the past decade but also strengthens our commitment to enhancing the lives of our community and fostering a workplace where every team member can thrive.” 

The results were announced today, Sept. 19, in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education. In 2025, 199 institutions participated in the survey, with 76 recognized as Great Colleges to Work For^®, including 54 four-year and 22 two-year institutions.

With record first-day enrollment of 35,812 students this Fall 2025 semester – marking more than 26% growth – UTRGV is solidifying its reputation as one of the fastest-growing universities in the nation.

Competing in the Great College to Work For^® large university category (more than 10,000 students), UTRGV excelled in two key areas:

• Professional Development: This category emphasizes support for faculty and staff development, focusing on onboarding processes, professional development opportunities and career support.
• Community and Belonging: Recognizes institutions that demonstrate a commitment to building community, this category assesses individual experiences as well as the impact of institutional policies on community development.

THE SURVEY

The survey conducted by ModernThink gathered anonymous feedback from 600 full-time employees, including faculty, administrators and professional support staff. UTRGV has 4,228 full-time employees, with part-time and student workers bringing the total above 7,500. 

The results stemmed from a two-part assessment: an institutional questionnaire and a survey of employees, with recognition based primarily on employee feedback.

For more information about the Great Colleges to Work For program and to view the full list of recognized institutions, visit www.greatcollegesprogram.com/list.