Dalton State earns "Great College to Work For" honors
Dalton, GA (09/19/2025) — Dalton State College is one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to the Great Colleges to Work For program. The results, released today in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are based on a survey of 199 colleges and universities.
"This honor reflects our continued focus on cultivating a supportive and mission-driven workplace," said Dalton State President John Fuchko. "We strive for Dalton State to be a place where people feel valued and supported and to know that their work makes a difference in the lives of our students and in the communities we serve."
This honor puts Dalton State in elite company. Only 76 of the 199 institutions surveyed achieved "Great College to Work For" recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium, and large institutions, with Dalton State College included among the medium colleges with 3,000 to 9,999 students.
Dalton State College won honors in eight categories-three more than the previous year:
Mission & Pride
Faculty & Staff Well-being
Professional Development
Confidence in Senior Leadership
Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness
Job Satisfaction & Support (added in 2025)
Shared Governance (added in 2025)
Faculty Experience (added in 2025)
In addition, Dalton State was one of only 42 institutions named to the Great Colleges Honor Roll, a distinction that goes to the top 10 four-year colleges recognized the greatest number of times in each size category. This is the second consecutive year Dalton State has been recognized with Honor Roll distinction. Dalton State was recognized in two categories in 2020.
"Dalton State's culture of care not only prioritizes student support but faculty and staff support," said Jennifer Randall, professor of English and 2024-2026 faculty senate president, said. "Campus leaders established a Shared Governance Committee in 2024 where the Faculty Senate Executive Committee meet with Staff Council members and Student Government Association leaders to support shared interests and host events that strengthen our campus community. Focusing on faculty, staff and student engagement enhances campus priorities, providing opportunities for meaningful collaboration and authentic, personal connections."
The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institution questionnaire that captures employment data and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and professional staff. Employee feedback was the primary factor in determining institutional recognition.
The Great Colleges to Work For program is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. To view all recognized institutions, visit the Great Colleges program website at GreatCollegesProgram.com. ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.
Media Attachments
Dalton State staff members Chasity Burgess, left, and Chelsea Lopez, right, pose for a photo during an employee luncheon celebrating the college’s 2024 Great Colleges to Work For recognition. Dalton State has earned the recognition again in 2025.
Dalton State College
Meagan Standridge (706) 712-8245, mstandridge@daltonstate.eduShare this Story
Recent News
- Ireland honored with national Coach of Character Award by NAIA
- Community Calendar Submission
- Dalton State to Kick-off Constitution Week with 4Cs Civil Discourse Community Workshop
- Dalton State welcomes new faculty to serve growing enrollment
- Dalton State fuels regional growth with $149M impact and graduate earnings potential
- Dalton State College, GNTC host first Northwest Georgia Workforce Summit
- Dalton State celebrates donation of Civil War era journal to Bandy Heritage Center
- Dalton State College among top 10% most affordable colleges in the nation for 4th year
- Partnership between Dalton State College and Dade County Schools a 'game-changer' for education workforce pipeline
- Thaw selected as new dean for School of Health Professions at Dalton State