OSU Institute of Technology has been named one of the 2016 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges in an announcement today by the National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development (NISOD) and Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine.

The designation honors OSUIT for its commitment to workplace diversity, equitable staffing practices, and supportive work environments. This is the second year for the study that highlights nine NISOD member institutions across the country.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for our efforts to make our university an institution that reflects the diverse cultures of our state, country and our world,” said OSUIT President Bill R. Path. “We must strive to make our institution a workplace that embraces and encourages diversity as we set a standard for our students as well.”

OSUIT was the only institution from Oklahoma featured in the list that also included Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, Calif.; Dyersburg State Community College in Dyersburg, Tenn.; Front Range Community College in Westminster, Colo.; Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, Penn.; Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Penn.; Mountain View College in Dallas; Seward County Community College and Area Technical School in Liberal Kan.; and Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands, Va.

“We are excited to see the geographic diversity of the schools recognized,” said Ralph Newell, vice president of business development and technology for Diverse. “We were even more pleased that these community colleges are not the more recognizable systems nationally; it speaks to the fact you don’t have to have a big name to succeed and do great work.”

The collaborative initiative between NISOD and Diverse consists of a national study conducted by the Center for Higher Education Enterprise (CHEE) at The Ohio State University, under the leadership of Dr. Terrell L. Strayhorn. The national study employs a web-based survey approach to elicit information from NISOD member institutions. A multipart, weighted algorithm was used to classify the responding institutions in the final phase of analysis. Full results from the national study are presented in the May 19th edition of Diverse magazine

“Our study yields insight into diversity practices at the nation’s community colleges and offers a useful tool for employers, career services staff, and job seekers across the country,” Strayhorn said. “We hope it serves as a tool for the broader community college enterprise too.”

The 2016 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges will be recognized at NISOD’s 2016 International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence in Austin, TX during the closing session on Tuesday, May 31, 2016.