For the second consecutive year, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been recognized as one of the Great Colleges to Work For.

UTRGV is among only 76 institutions across the country awarded the 2025 Great Colleges to Work For distinction, based on direct feedback from faculty and staff. The Great Colleges to Work For program, now in its 18th year, highlights colleges that receive top ratings from employees regarding workplace practices and policies. 

As UTRGV celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, President Guy Bailey said the recognition highlights the university’s emergence as one of the premier workplaces in higher education. 

“This honor emphasizes the positive culture we’ve created together – one that values support, empowerment and opportunity,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “This achievement not only recognizes our ongoing efforts for the past decade but also strengthens our commitment to enhancing the lives of our community and fostering a workplace where every team member can thrive.” 

The results were announced on Sept. 19 in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education. In 2025, 199 institutions participated in the survey, with 76 recognized as Great Colleges to Work For, including 54 four-year and 22 two-year institutions.

Competing in the Great Colleges to Work For large university category (more than 10,000 students), UTRGV excelled in two key areas:

• Professional Development: This category emphasizes support for faculty and staff development, focusing on onboarding processes, professional development opportunities and career support.
• Community and Belonging: Recognizes institutions that demonstrate a commitment to building community, this category assesses individual experiences as well as the impact of institutional policies on community development.