UTRGV earns Great Colleges to Work For® recognition for third consecutive year

By News and Media Relations

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – SEPT. 18, 2026 – The faculty and staff of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley once again have helped place the university among the nation’s leading higher education workplaces through their service to students and communities.

For the third consecutive year, UTRGV has been recognized by the Great Colleges to Work For^® program, a national distinction based largely on employee feedback.

UTRGV also earned a place on the program’s Honor Roll for the first time. The distinction recognizes institutions that receive exceptionally high marks across multiple workplace categories, including leadership, compensation, well-being and job satisfaction. 

UTRGV earned its first Great Colleges to Work For® Honor Roll distinction after receiving high marks across multiple workplace categories. The university was one of only 42 colleges nationwide selected for the 2026 Honor Roll.

“This recognition belongs to our faculty and staff, whose talent, dedication and commitment to service make UTRGV a great place to work,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “They bring our mission to life every day by supporting our students, strengthening our communities and helping UTRGV fulfill its role as the Valley’s university.”

The results were announced Friday, Sept. 18, during celebration events across UTRGV campuses. UTRGV competed in the large-university category for institutions with more than 10,000 students.

This year, UTRGV was recognized in six of the program’s 10 categories, up from two in 2025. The university was one of only 42 colleges nationwide to earn Honor Roll status. The Honor Roll includes the 10 highest-scoring four-year institutions and the four highest-scoring two-year institutions within their respective classifications.

Nationwide, 171 colleges earned recognition through the program, including 105 four-year institutions and 66 two-year colleges.

UTRGV was recognized in the following categories:

• Job Satisfaction and Support: Measures employee satisfaction with job fit, autonomy and workplace resources.
• Professional Development: Assesses onboarding, professional development opportunities and career support.
• Mission and Pride: Reflects employees’ connection to the university’s mission, pride in the institution and willingness to recommend it as a workplace.
• Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness: Evaluates supervisors’ communication, direction, feedback and equitable treatment of employees.
• Confidence in Senior Leadership: Measures employees’ confidence in the capabilities and credibility of university leadership.
• Inclusion, Belonging and Community: Recognizes the university’s commitment to creating an inclusive workplace and a strong sense of community.

SUPPORTING A GROWING UNIVERSITY

The recognition comes as UTRGV continues to reach new enrollment milestones. The university welcomed a record 36,466 students at the start of the Fall 2026 semester, marking its seventh consecutive first-day enrollment record. The total included UTRGV’s largest freshman class, with 7,373 incoming students, a 2% increase from Fall 2025.

A total of 7,885 faculty and staff members, including part-time and student employees, support that growth through the academic programs, student services, research, healthcare initiatives and other opportunities that advance UTRGV’s mission.

UTRGV supports employee growth and well-being through in-house coaching, mentoring, leadership academies, service workshops and 24/7 E-Learn training. Employees also have access to tuition assistance, enhanced medical care, confidential counseling and wellness resources.

RECOGNITION DRIVEN BY EMPLOYEE FEEDBACK 

The Great Colleges to Work For^® evaluation includes an institutional questionnaire and a confidential employee survey, with recognition based primarily on employee responses. 

Administered by ModernThink, the survey was sent to more than 4,000 full-time UTRGV employees, including faculty, administrators and professional support staff. More than 2,000 employees provided anonymous feedback, resulting in a 49% response rate.

Now in its 19th year, the program recognizes colleges and universities whose employees give high marks to their workplace cultures, practices and policies.

For more information and the complete list of recognized institutions, visit www.greatcollegesprogram.com/list/colleges.

UTRGV — The Valley’s University

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is The Valley’s University, deeply rooted in the communities it serves and committed to improving lives and expanding opportunities across the region. From keeping a high-quality education affordable and expanding healthcare services to preparing the workforce, advancing research, and supporting economic growth, UTRGV is putting its people, expertise and resources to work for the Rio Grande Valley. The Valley and UTRGV rise together, building a healthier, stronger and more prosperous region.