Higher ed continues to face a retention crisis. Turnover in any role can impact an institution, but turnover in a supervisor role has more far-reaching implications. This report explores higher ed supervisors' likelihood of looking for new employment, their current challenges and working environments, and which job aspects specific to supervisors…

Past research in the private sector has demonstrated that corporations with female executives pay their female administrators more equitably. This report presents evidence from CUPA-HR survey data that similar patterns occur in higher education. Institutions with female presidents have a higher representation of women in administrator positions…

Higher education institutions rely on support from donors to improve and sustain the institution. Employees within development, fundraising, and alumni relations (fundraising employees) play a pivotal role in securing vital funding through connections and support from alumni. In addition, they help fulfill the university's philanthropic mission by…

The CUPA-HR Higher Education Employee Retention Survey was piloted in May 2022. The survey was created to better understand the segment of the higher ed workforce that is at risk for leaving their current jobs, why these employees are considering leaving, and what higher ed institutions can implement to increase retention and improve the higher ed…

The purpose of this report is three-fold. First, it aims to provide an overall snapshot of the landscape of minority-serving institutions (MSIs). It then defines the various MSI types, gives an overview of their representation among all U.S. higher education institutions, and shows their geographic spread across the country. Second, the report…

The skilled craft workforce possesses the in-demand, highly specialized skills that are necessary to maintain and improve campus. However, campus, the heart of many colleges and universities, may be in trouble: The higher ed skilled craft workforce is aging, and there are not enough younger workers to take the place of older employees as they…

This survey collects data of more than 250,000 professionals in 401 mid-level professional positions from 987 higher education institutions. Information is collected at the incumbent (non-aggregate) level for all professionals reported, allowing for the collection of salary, sex, race/ethnicity, age, and years in position. This marks a special…

This study sought to determine whether higher ed employees whose preferred work arrangements are not aligned with their actual work arrangements are more likely to look for other work. The results show that: a) nearly two-thirds of respondents report some degree of misalignment between their preferred and actual work arrangements, particularly in…

According to a 2019 Pew Research Center survey, 67% of Americans support raising the federal minimum hourly wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour, with 41% strongly supporting the increase. Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour has been the battle cry for many members of Congress, while others have opposed or expressed concern regarding, such…

The skilled craft workforce possesses the in-demand, highly specialized skills that are necessary to maintain and improve campus. However, campus, the heart of many colleges and universities, may be in trouble: The higher ed skilled craft workforce is aging, and there are not enough younger workers to take the place of older employees as they…

CUPA-HR's survey of benefits for higher education employees has been conducted since 2003. Prior to 2020-21, data were collected on healthcare benefits in odd years and non-healthcare benefits in even years. This year, we collected data on all benefits: healthcare benefits, including healthcare plans and wellness programs; and non-healthcare…

This is the eighth year that CUPA-HR has conducted the CUPA-HR Staff in Higher Education Survey, which collects data on primarily non-exempt staff. The survey collects the following data for all higher ed staff: salary, sex, race/ethnicity, age, and years in position. This marks a special year for data collection and reporting for all CUPA-HR…

The Faculty in Higher Education Survey collects data from approximately 853 higher education institutions on over 270,000 full-time faculty (tenure track and non-tenure track), as well as academic department heads and adjunct (pay-per-course) faculty. Data collected for full-time faculty include: salary, supplemental salary, and course relief (for…

The strategic management of human resources (HR) is the foundation on which organizational success is built and maintained. Every organization seeks to attract and retain the talent necessary to fulfill its mission, considering both the needs of today and looking into the future. Higher education is no exception, and higher education human…

America's workforce is aging, and popular press articles have warned of a "silver tsunami" of retirements, particularly among the baby boomer generation. Dramatic headlines aside, even gradual changes in workforce demographics will affect hiring, budgeting, training, and more. Higher education tenure-track faculty may be uniquely…