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William Paterson University has been recognized as one of the nation’s top employers in higher education, earning a place on the 2025 Great Colleges to Work For list. The honor, awarded to just 76 institutions across the country, is one of the largest and most respected workplace recognitions in the field.
The Great Colleges to Work For program, administered by organizational development firm ModernThink in partnership with The Chronicle of Higher Education, is based primarily on employee feedback. Institutions are evaluated through a two-part process: a questionnaire capturing employment data, policies, and practices, and a survey distributed directly to faculty, administrators, and staff. According to ModernThink, responses from employees carry the greatest weight in determining which institutions are honored.
“William Paterson’s success in providing our students with a life changing education is rooted in our talented and dedicated faculty and staff,” says University President Richard J. Helldobler. “I am proud of this recognition, which affirms that our community of employees view William Paterson as a place where they can launch and grow their careers and be fully supported as they, in turn, work to support our students.”
“When our faculty and staff feel supported and valued, they create the kind of environment where everyone—students and employees alike—can thrive,” adds Vice President for Human Resources Allison Boucher-Jarvis.
William Paterson employs close to 1,000 full-time professionals and is a strong proponent of employees growing their careers there. More than half of all University roles are filled through promotions from within, reflecting WP’s focus on professional development and long-term investment in its people. The University also offers flexible work arrangements, including a four-day summer work week, robust retirement plans, tuition benefits for employees and their dependents, tax-free savings opportunities, and a nationally recognized professional development summer series.
Among the 10 workplace categories evaluated by ModernThink, the University received highest recognition in the “compensation and benefits” category. Of the 76 institutions recognized this year, 54 are four-year colleges and universities and 22 are two-year institutions.
“Resilient, courageous, and committed—these are the words that come to mind as I reflect on the institutions recognized in this year’s program,” says Richard K. Boyer, chief culture strategist at Modern Think. “Their leaders inspire others and foster strong communities. They understand that student success is deeply tied to the success of faculty and staff—and their commitment to both never wavers, in good times or in times of challenge.”
This recognition follows another recent honor: for the second consecutive year, William Paterson University was named to Forbes’ Best-In-State Employers list, recognizing the institution as one of New Jersey’s top-rated employers based on nationwide surveys.
“This is only the beginning,” Vice President Boucher-Jarvis says. “We look forward to working with our colleagues to strategize ways we can continue to build upon this foundation.”
