TopWorkplaces.com named Wilmington College among the best educational institutions in which to be employed in its 2026 awards. It lists the College among its top 67 schools in the nation and top 29 for institutions with 150 to 499 employees. Also, Bucketlist, a rewards and recognition platform, selected WC as a Top Workplace for employee appreciation.
The national Top Workplaces program is driven by employee feedback. Rankings are based on objective, nationally benchmarked data. College employees were surveyed for confidential responses earlier this year through the institution’s partnership with Energage. The survey results led to the College ranking in the top 25 percent in seven work culture categories: meaningful work, open-minded, clued-in employees, leaders in the know, company direction and strong values. Also, the College landed in the top five percent for confidence and trust in the institution’s leadership.
The surveys revealed keywords the respondents frequently used in their responses, the most frequent of which was community. Others include welcoming, uplifting, Quaker, inclusive, relaxed, collaborative, growing, family, kind, values and Quaker.
The Top Workplaces program has been studying workplaces since 2006, having surveyed millions of employees at thousands of workplaces. Top Workplaces prioritize actions such as appreciation, direction and confidence in leadership in determining its rankings.
Some College employees spoke about why working at WC is special to them. Daniel McCamish said the College sincerely tries to live up to its stated values; also, the campus community feels like family to him. “It’s the people I like working with the most. I look forward to coming here every day.” Two young alumni who later returned to work at their alma mater shared their thoughts. Both coordinators in the Student Success Office, Anna Bzovi said working at the College is “a blessing and an answered prayer. It’s truly a great opportunity to be a part of this community and serve our students.” Colleague Brittanie Clair noted, “I get to help students on their journeys at College, as others helped me.”
College President Corey Cockerill said, “The work that we do in education helps people identify their light, and it allows the bright light in everybody to shine brighter each day,” while Adam Lohrey, vice president for marketing and enrollment management, finds great satisfaction in “watching our students do amazing things and knowing that we’re playing at least a small part in shaping their future.” Wynn Alexander, provost and vice president for academic affairs, appreciates WC’s impressive “collaborative spirit,” which is necessary to make the student experience a good one.
Erin Bales, program director for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, spoke on how impressed she is with “our great, smart, hard-working students.” Tammy Shadley, vice present/chief alumni and advancement officer, said her favorite thing about the College is “working with great people while we’re promoting a mission I believe in.” Chip Murdock, assistant vice president, said, “It’s about the people, the students, staff and faculty — they keep me coming back,” while Terron Cruey, chief human resources officer, lauded the “sense of community” among the students, faculty and staff. Kyra Frasier, an admissions representative, said her work in encouraging young people to pursue higher education is “one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.”