WVSOM recognized in 2011 Great Colleges to Work For

LEWISBURG, W.Va. – The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) is one of the best colleges in the U.S. to work for, according to a survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

WVSOM received recognition in six categories and was one of 42 institutions listed on the honor roll, which represented institutions that were recognized the most in their size categories.

A total of 111 institutions were recognized of the 310 colleges and universities that took part in the survey.

The school received honors in:

• Professional/career development programs — employees are given the opportunity to develop skills and understand requirements to advance in their careers.
• Teaching environment — faculty members say the institution recognizes innovative and high-quality teaching.
• Facilities, workspaces and security — facilities adequately meet needs, the appearance of the campus is pleasing and the institution takes steps to provide a secure environment.
• Job satisfaction and support — the institution provides insight into the satisfaction with job fit, autonomy and resources.
• Confidence in senior leadership — leaders have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary for institutional success.
• Respect and appreciation — employees are regularly recognized for their contributions.

Leslie Bicksler, WVSOM human resources director, said what makes the osteopathic school a great college are the employees and the quality of work they are doing.

"Everyone understands — from the president to the human resources director to the grounds keeper to the secretary and to the faculty — how they're contributing to the mission of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine," Bicksler said. "In doing so the employees realize that their job is important to achieving our overall goal of being a well-renowned osteopathic school."

Bicksler said the school not only boasts state-of-the-art facilities for its employees, but educational advancement programs as well.

"Some of the things we've done in the last few years that have really enhanced positions of employees are the educational investments that we make in our employees," she said. "It's the ability to have continuing education and offer job training, so not only do we invest in them as people, but as employees. We want everybody to be life-long learners."

WVSOM President Michael Adelman, D.O, J.D., said that the number of employees who responded to the survey makes a statement about how passionate people are about the school.

"I'm very proud to be working with an incredible group of staff and faculty that made this possible," Adelman said of the recognition. "It took everyone to make this happen. But we don't want to rest on our laurels and we'll continue to improve. I'd like to get ranked in all of the categories some day."

Jeffrey Selingo, editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education, said colleges understand the need to be innovative in their workplace practices.

"Just like colleges market to recruit students, they are now realizing they need to do more to attract quality employees. The Great Colleges to Work For survey is meant to help both employers and potential employees by giving them vital information about workplaces," Selingo said.

The fourth annual Academic Workplace survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit that captured demographics and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.

This was the first year WVSOM participated in the survey.

WVSOM is a national leader in educating osteopathic physicians for primary care medicine in rural areas.