Hobart and William Smith Colleges have earned national recognition for workplace excellence, landing on Newsweek’s 2025 list of America’s Greatest Midsize Workplaces.
The colleges were one of only 17 educational institutions among 500 companies selected for the honor. HWS received a four-star rating based on key metrics including leadership, integrity, compensation, career development, organizational culture, belonging, and work-life balance.
Leadership applauds people-first workplace culture
“We are honored to be recognized by Newsweek,” said Vice President and General Counsel Lou Guard, who provides leadership for the Office of Human Resources. “At a time when institutions are navigating challenges related to employee well-being, the HWS model demonstrates what it means to prioritize people within a strong, relationship-rich environment.”
Guard emphasized the college’s longstanding commitment to fostering a supportive and engaged workplace shaped by faculty, staff, and administrators.
Associate Vice President for Human Resources Tabatha Spinner noted that the distinction reflects continuous investment in employees through comprehensive benefits, wellness initiatives, and professional development opportunities.
“We are always looking for new ways to improve the wellbeing of all faculty, staff and students,” Spinner said.
Benefits and location drive strong employee satisfaction
Spinner pointed to health insurance, retirement plans, wellness programs, and career growth opportunities as central to the HWS experience. She also highlighted the campus’ scenic location on Seneca Lake in Geneva, New York, offering access to natural beauty and an affordable cost of living in the Finger Lakes region.
How Newsweek’s rankings were determined
Newsweek’s 2025 rankings were based on a review of more than 3.5 million online employee reviews and publicly available data across 9,000 companies. The evaluation was conducted in partnership with Plant-A Insights, using industry-standard performance indicators to assess organizational excellence.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].