Dalton State College is one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to the Great Colleges to Work For® program. The results, released today in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are based on a survey of 199 colleges and universities.
“This honor reflects our continued focus on cultivating a supportive and mission-driven workplace,” said Dalton State President John Fuchko. “We strive for Dalton State to be a place where people feel valued and supported and to know that their work makes a difference in the lives of our students and in the communities we serve.”
This honor puts Dalton State in elite company. Only 76 of the 199 institutions surveyed achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium, and large institutions, with Dalton State College included among the medium colleges with 3,000 to 9,999 students.
Dalton State College won honors in eight categories—three more than the previous year:
- Mission & Pride
- Faculty & Staff Well-being
- Professional Development
- Confidence in Senior Leadership
- Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness
- Job Satisfaction & Support (added in 2025)
- Shared Governance (added in 2025)
- Faculty Experience (added in 2025)
In addition, Dalton State was one of only 42 institutions named to the Great Colleges Honor Roll, a distinction that goes to the top 10 four-year colleges recognized the greatest number of times in each size category. This is the second consecutive year Dalton State has been recognized with Honor Roll distinction. Dalton State was recognized in two categories in 2020.
“Dalton State’s culture of care not only prioritizes student support but faculty and staff support,” said Jennifer Randall, professor of English and 2024-2026 faculty senate president, said. “Campus leaders established a Shared Governance Committee in 2024 where the Faculty Senate Executive Committee meet with Staff Council members and Student Government Association leaders to support shared interests and host events that strengthen our campus community. Focusing on faculty, staff and student engagement enhances campus priorities, providing opportunities for meaningful collaboration and authentic, personal connections.”
The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institution questionnaire that captures employment data and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and professional staff. Employee feedback was the primary factor in determining institutional recognition.
The Great Colleges to Work For® program is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. To view all recognized institutions, visit the Great Colleges program website at GreatCollegesProgram.com. ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.
