UAB has been named an Honor Roll university for the first time, placing the institution among the nation’s best in employee engagement and satisfaction. The University of Alabama at Birmingham has earned national recognition among top employers in higher education through the Great Colleges to Work For® program — receiving the prestigious Honor Roll distinction for the first time.
“UAB was recognized among Great Colleges to Work For in both 2023 and 2025,” said UAB Chief Human Resource Officer Janet May. “But this is the first time we have also been named among the institutions setting the bar nationally on the Honor Roll. We are proud our ongoing commitment to improvement continues to enhance the work experience for our faculty and staff.”
The Honor Roll designation reflects UAB’s exceptional workplace culture and commitment to employee engagement and satisfaction.
“Earning this Honor Roll distinction speaks to our dedication to shared governance, collaboration and continually making UAB an even better workplace,” said UAB President Ray Watts. “It also reflects the deep sense of pride we have in the great work we’re doing together and in the positive impact we’re having on lives throughout our community, state and beyond.”
The results reflect a comprehensive two-step evaluation process, with employee feedback serving as the cornerstone for determining institutional recognition in the Great Colleges to Work For® program. This program, along with UAB’s biennial Campus Engagement Survey, is administered by ModernThink. For the 2025 survey cycle, UAB first completed a detailed questionnaire capturing key employment data and workplace policies, and then delivered the Campus Engagement Survey to all faculty and staff, with responses providing valuable insights into the campus culture and work environment.
Results were determined by more than 5,000 employees, 48 percent of faculty and 57 percent of staff, who participated in the survey. The 2025 response rate is the institution’s highest percentage of participation since 2017.
UAB was recognized as high-performing in six categories, building on the 2023 recognition in four categories. The 2025 categories include:
- Job satisfaction and support
- Compensation and benefits
- Supervisor/department chair support
- Faculty and staff well-being
- Shared governance
- Faculty experience
Janet Woodruff-Borden, UAB’s provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, attributes the 2025 results to thoughtful engagement with faculty and staff, paired with dedicated and strategic effort.
“A welcoming workplace shapes how we connect with one another and with our mission,” Woodruff-Borden said. “While we know there is always more to do, we are committed to continuing to build a culture where every member of our community — faculty, staff and students — can succeed and thrive.”
For more information about Great Colleges to Work For® and to view all current and previous recognized institutions, visit GreatCollegesProgram.com and GreatCollegesList.com. ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the anonymous employee survey and analyzed the results.