It is with immense pride and gratitude that I share some truly exciting news—Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College has been recognized as one of the nation's top institutions in the 2024 Great Colleges to Work For® program! This prestigious accolade places us in an elite group, with only two colleges in West Virginia earning this distinction. Southern stands out as the only community college in the state to receive this honor.

The recognition, announced on GreatCollegesList.com and featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education, highlights Southern’s excellence in two critical areas: Shared Governance and Faculty Experience. This achievement is a testament to the incredible dedication, hard work, and collaboration each of you brings to our college community daily.

I want to express my pride in this achievement. This honor validates the community we’ve built here at Southern. Our ongoing commitment is to create an environment that appreciates and supports everyone’s contributions to the college. Every member of our college community is essential in making this a great place to work.

This recognition has been awarded to Southern only three times in our 53-year history, and I am incredibly proud that all these honors have come during my presidency. It speaks volumes about the positive culture we've fostered and our collective drive to make Southern a thriving and supportive place for all.

The Great Colleges to Work For® award selection process was incredibly competitive, with surveys conducted at 216 colleges and universities nationwide. Southern was one of only 75 institutions to be honored, and your feedback played a crucial role in making this happen. Additionally, our employment policies and practices were thoroughly evaluated, reinforcing Southern’s commitment to a supportive work environment.

This award reflects each of you—our staff, faculty, cabinet members, and board of governors. Your dedication, professionalism, and unwavering support for our students and each other have made Southern a place we can all be proud to call home. I cannot express enough gratitude for being part of this remarkable community.

Thank you for everything you do to make Southern a great place to work and learn. This recognition belongs to all of us!

Warmest regards,

Pam