Mineral Area College named one of America’s Best Colleges to Work For

Article & Photo via The Daily Journal Online/Lisa Brotherton

Mineral Area College (MAC) was recognized in September as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to the 2025 Great Colleges to Work For® program, one of the largest and most respected workplace recognition programs in higher education.

The results, published this week in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education, were based on a national survey of 199 colleges and universities. Of those institutions, only 76 were selected for recognition — including just 22 two-year colleges.

MAC, with its primary campus located in Park Hills, earned distinction in three key categories:

Confidence in Senior Leadership: This recognition category is based on the expressed confidence that faculty and staff report in the capabilities and credibility of senior leadership. In the Great Colleges to Work For program, “senior leadership” is defined as the most senior members of the institution (e.g., chancellor or president and those who report directly to him/her).

Job Satisfaction & Support: This recognition category is based on satisfaction with job fit, autonomy, and resources. High degrees of job satisfaction are essential to an engaged workforce.

Mission & Pride: Understanding an institution’s mission and how one’s job impacts that mission are considered primary drivers of faculty/staff engagement. In addition to mission understanding, this category is based on survey items that provide insight into the level of pride in being associated with the institution and the willingness to recommend the institution as an employer.

“While this recognition is something we truly appreciate, our real success is in building a community that values the needs and contributions of every individual,” said MAC President Dr. Joe Gilgour. “Our faculty and staff create a vibrant and supportive environment where everyone is respected and empowered to succeed. This commitment is what truly makes MAC a great place to work.”

The Great Colleges to Work For® survey uses a two-part assessment process — an institutional questionnaire on employment data and workplace policies, and a confidential survey of faculty, administrators, and professional staff. Employee feedback served as the primary factor in determining which institutions received recognition.

Administered by ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, the program highlights institutions that demonstrate excellence in key areas such as shared governance, leadership confidence, professional development, and workplace culture.

MAC, founded in 1922, serves students across southeast Missouri by offering associate degrees, workforce training, and transfer programs through its main campus in Park Hills and outreach centers across the region.

For a complete list of recognized institutions and categories, visit GreatCollegesProgram.com or GreatCollegesList.com

Lisa Brotherton-Barnes is a Daily Journal and Farmington Press staff writer. She can be reached at lbarnes@dailyjournalonline.com.