Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) has been recognized nationally for the ninth time for its welcoming, inclusive, and supportive workplace and learning environments.
The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and Diverse: Issues In Higher Education have named MCCC as one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges in the nation. With a focus on workplace diversity, staffing practices, and the work environment, the NISOD and Diverse research team uses a web-based survey approach to examine categories such as family friendliness, salary, benefits, and professional development opportunities, among others, in its selection process.
“NISOD is proud to honor the recipients of the Most Promising Places to Work Award, recognizing institutions that demonstrate exceptional commitment to workplace belonging and employee support in higher education,” said Kris Tolman, NISOD Interim Associate Director. “These outstanding institutions set a benchmark for fostering environments where faculty and staff thrive. We celebrate their dedication to create empowering and growth-focused workplaces that drive meaningful change that ultimately supports student success.”
This year, MCCC was one of only 16 community and technical colleges in the United States selected for this highly regarded award and one of only three in Pennsylvania.
“Receiving this national award for the ninth time underscores our institution’s unwavering commitment to creating a supportive and welcoming environment where every individual is valued, respected, and heard,” said Dr. Vicki Bastecki-Perez, MCCC President. “This achievement reflects the ongoing dedication of our students, employees, and Board of Trustees in building a culture that empowers individuals while promoting unity and authentic collaboration.”
MCCC’s commitment to its welcoming and caring environment is included in the College’s Strategic Employee Workforce Plan and the development and implementation of its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Montco for All – Building Our Future Together.” With these frameworks, MCCC continues to foster inclusion, promote diversity, and ensure the success of employees and students through educational engagements, training, and initiatives that expand the understanding of issues impacting our communities.
As a part of MCCC’s Strategic Employee Workforce Plan, the College has implemented several initiatives to prioritize work-life balance. This includes increasing the amount of paid time off, expanding the parental leave policy, instituting a flexible work program, and introducing a “no meeting block” initiative where meetings are not scheduled during specific times to allow employees to think, focus, and prepare for the week ahead. MCCC supports growth and development through professional development weeks and an annual technology conference, offering opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
To ensure employees stay informed and connected, MCCC hosts routine Coffee & Conversation sessions, emphasizing transparency and encouraging open communication among participants. MCCC also provides a platform for open discussions to be held with governance committees, college councils, and forums that further provide employees, students, trustees, and community members with input on topics such as institutional policies and major initiatives.
MCCC’s annual Presidential Symposium on Diversity continues to serve as a capstone event that advances and facilitates ongoing public dialogue on diversity and inclusiveness among students, employees, and the community. This year’s Symposium featured Roberto Clemente Jr., the son of baseball Hall of Fame legend Roberto Clemente Sr. During the event, Clemente Jr. spoke about overcoming the tragic death of his father, leading by example, and advocating for opportunities and access.
“Montgomery County Community College is an outstanding place to work, thanks to our dedicated Montco Family who take pride in creating a friendly environment where everyone feels appreciated. Whether supporting students, collaborating with colleagues, or engaging with the community, our employees make MCCC special — a place where people inspire, lead, and transform lives and destinies,” said Dr. Bastecki-Perez.
The award-winning institutions received a specially designed logo that can be used to promote the institution’s commitment to diversity. “Diverse” will feature the recognized colleges in its May 1 edition. To learn more about the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges awards, visit NISOD.
About NISOD
The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) empowers faculty, staff, and administrators at community and technical colleges to support the needs of diverse students in the face of ever-present resource constraints. High-quality, easy-to-access professional development resources connect staff and faculty with applicable knowledge to grow their careers and improve instruction. Meaningful recognition programs can augment the reputation of individual students, employees, and institutions. But perhaps most valuable are the connections NISOD helps build among community and technical colleges to share ideas, strengths, and solutions.
About Diverse
Since 1984, Diverse: Issues In Higher Education has been the nation’s premier publication covering the issues pertaining to underrepresented minorities in American higher education. Reaching more than 200,000 readers biweekly, Diverse has been recognized for its in-depth news coverage, provocative commentary, insightful special reports, and original research.
Learn more at Montgomery County Community College. Since 1964, Montgomery County Community College has been transforming lives and communities to meet the evolving educational needs of Montgomery County. The College’s comprehensive curriculum includes more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as customized workforce training and certifications. Students enjoy the flexibility of learning at the College’s thriving campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown and online.
