Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) continues to be one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to a new survey by the Great Colleges to Work For® program. This is the fourth consecutive year the college has earned prestigious recognition as a “Great College to Work For”.
The results, released today, Sept. 13, in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are based on a survey of 196 colleges and universities. In all, 70 of the 196 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium, and large institutions, with WDTC included among the small universities with 500 to 2,999 students.
WDTC has previously earned Great Colleges to Work For status in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
In addition, Western Dakota Technical College earned honors in two categories this year:
- Shared Governance
- Faculty Experience
“Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) is proud to have been selected a Great College to Work For four years in a row! Earning this achievement is not by chance. WDTC is a great place to work because we all enjoy preparing our students to progress and develop the technical skills they need for successful careers and rewarding lives,” said Ann Bolman, Ed.D., WDTC President. “As noted by the additional honors we received this year, WDTC provides a supportive work environment where employees are heard and actively participate in the development of polices and decision-making at our college. In addition, we recognize our faculty, who come to the college with valuable industry experience, to be among the best in the nation. Members of our faculty have been award winners and finalists in the American Technical Education Association awards and in SkillsUSA (nationals) and in the S.D. division annual awards.”
WDTC career opportunities are located online at wdt.edu/careers.
The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institution questionnaire that captured employment data and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was employee feedback.
The employee survey underwent several changes this year, including the addition of 11 new survey statements, some of which are related to new survey themes around diversity, inclusion and belonging, as well as faculty and staff well-being. New survey demographics related to gender identity and remote work were also included this year.
In accordance with the survey changes, the recognition categories for the program were also updated this year to better reflect current patterns and methodologies in employee engagement in higher education.
The Great Colleges to Work For® program is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all current and previous recognized institutions, visit the Great Colleges program website at GreatCollegesProgram.com and GreatCollegesList.com. ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.
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About Western Dakota Technical College
Western Dakota Tech Technical College (WDTC) was established in 1968 and is the only technical college serving the western South Dakota region.
WDTC offers programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction and Manufacturing, Energy and Environmental Technologies, Health Sciences, Legal and Public Services, and Transportation Technologies.
Ninety-eight percent of Western Dakota Tech's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military. [Placement information is derived from graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, placement surveys started six months after graduation, and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Overall placement rate is figured by: (responding graduates employed, continuing education, or in military service)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment). The number of program graduates are unduplicated by CIP code.]
WDTC faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, Western Dakota Tech students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities.
For information about Western Dakota Technical College, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to Admissions@wdt.edu. Visit us on the web at wdt.edu.
