This week, Forbes has selected UCF as a one of America’s Best-in-State Employers for 2022. UCF was ranked No. 20 in Florida — making it the only university to place in the top 20, which includes influential national organizations such as NASA, Google and Lockheed Martin.
As part of the university’s strategic plan — Unleashing Potential — which was released earlier this year, UCF aspires to be a best place to learn and work. This designation indicates UCF is on the right path to achieving this goal. With community and culture as one of the university’s priorities, UCF aims to be foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, public service, and collaboration — as well as be an essential driver of the region’s economic vitality.
Forbes says thousands of companies and institutions were considered for its fourth annual rankings, which includes 51 lists — one for each state and the District of Columbia — was created in partnership with market research company Statista. Businesses with at least 500 employees were considered. Surveys were conducted anonymously, allowing 70,000 Americans to freely share their opinions.
Respondents were asked to rate their employers on a variety of criteria, including safety of work environment, competitiveness of compensation, opportunities for advancement and openness to telecommuting. Statista then asked respondents how likely they’d be to recommend their employer to others, and to nominate organizations in industries outside their own.
Earlier this year, UCF was also recognized by the Orlando Business Journal as an Outstanding Diverse Organization in the large business category.
“We intentionally emphasize the potential in every individual and our commitment to provide them with access and opportunity,” said Andrea Guzmán, UCF’s vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, in an Orlando Business Journal article about the honor. “We want UCF to be the best place to learn and work, and that starts with a culture of compassion, inclusion, respect and free expression.
Leaders from UCF’s human resources, institutional equity and faculty excellence have been working to increase best practices for job searches, including training on diversifying recruitment and requiring specific training for everyone who serves on a search committee.
