Great Colleges to Work For program names K-State one of the best workplaces in the nation

Kansas State University is one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to the Great Colleges to Work For program.

The recognition reinforces the university’s commitment to being an employer of choice in Kansas and higher education, where employees have the opportunities, resources and support they need to thrive, said Shanna Legleiter, K-State’s chief Human Resources officer.

“Being recognized as a great place to work is a reflection of the people who make K-State such a special place,” Legleiter said. “Together, we’re creating an environment where our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to do their best work.”

The designation marks the fifth time this year that K-State has been recognized for employer excellence. In August, Forbes named K-State one of America’s Best Employers by State and one of America's Best Employers for Women. In May, the university was named a top employer among new graduates, and in January, it was recognized as a 2026 dream employer among students and employees.

K-State is one of just 76 colleges and universities to make the list, and one of only three Big 12 institutions. Baylor and Texas Tech were also recognized.

How the Great Colleges program works

The Great Colleges to Work For program recognizes colleges that create great workplaces and further research and understanding of the factors, dynamics and influences that most impact organizational culture in higher education. It combined employee feedback and institutional data to assess the workplace experience, drawing on a survey of more than 90,000 faculty and staff and a review of each college’s policies, practices, benefits and programs. A total of 171 universities and colleges participated.

The results were published at GreatCollegeslist.com and in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education.

The survey measured 10 workplace dimensions, plus a faculty experience dimension, covering key aspects of the employee experience. K-State was recognized in three categories: Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness, Shared Governance and Faculty Experience.

— Submitted by Human Resources