March 16, 2006

DENVER, Colorado – Corban College has taken first place over similar-sized colleges and universities in the Best Christian Places to Work in the United States survey.

Established in 1935, Corban is a Christian liberal arts college in Salem that offers 45 program options within its professional, liberal arts and ministry divisions. Current enrollment is 850 students.

The survey, administered by the Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI), involved more than 10,600 employees in 93 organizations across the United States to identify great workplaces with a Christian mission and/or values. The top 40 survey finalists are published in the April issue of Christianity Today magazine.  

The fourth annual award ceremony was held on March 15 at the Christian Management Associations convention in Denver, Colorado. Corban President Reno Hoff and Board of Trustees Chair Tom Carlson attended the March 15 ceremony in Denver to represent the college in receiving the award.

Based on the survey, the best Christian places to work in the United States are those experiencing strong growth, low employee turnover and high levels of trust between employees and management. High employee response rates are required to ensure the survey results are statistically significant.

The survey results, based on approximately 91% participation, show that Corban employees are particularly positive about the college’s progress over the last year, its shared values, its leaders’ exhibition of character, the level of spirituality on campus, the retention of qualified workers, its management style and its openness and honesty. 

“Our research indicates leaders at Corban demonstrate high levels of character, competence and compassion, while employees show high levels of commitment,” said Al Lopus, president of the Best Christian Workplaces Institute. “We have come to see this survey is a leading indicator of future success for these finalists because of the high levels of organizational health and effectiveness.”

Based in Mercer Island, Wash., the Best Christian Workplaces Institute has surveyed more than 40,000 employees across North America in three years.

“This award is an indication of successful leadership at all levels of our organization,” President Hoff said. “One of our guiding principles is to encourage all people to commit to the ownership and mission of the college. This survey is a confirmation that our employees are excited about the direction we’re taking.”

The survey poses questions to employees around six major categories: attraction and retention, motivation and commitment, empowerment and relationships, rewards and benefits, growth and development, and Christian values. An independent panel of judges weighted the employee scores, the employee survey participation rates and profiles in order to select the finalists.

In the five key component "leadership drivers" of employee satisfaction, Corban College employees rated the college well in all five.

The ten most favorable items for Corban, spread across a variety of categories of the survey, and based on a 0-5 scale were:

• Over the past year my organization has improved for the better:  4.6
• There is a high level of trust at my organization between senior management and employees: 4.05
• My organization's management explains the reasons behind major decisions: 4.08
• There is a clear consensus on my organization's values: 4.60
• My organization retains highly qualified employees:  4.31
• My organization is well managed:  4.31
• At my organization, there is generally good teamwork across departments:  4.13
• My organization's leaders exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, kindness): 4.48
• My organization conducts its activities openly and honestly:  4.25
• I am very satisfied with the level of Christian fellowship and spirituality at my organization:  4.44

"Of special interest is the recent name change and rebranding done at the College. It is particularly gratifying to see that we have maintained support and cooperation from our employees through this critical transitional period for the College," Hoff explained.