by Julie Keith

Beginning Feb. 3, you will have a chance to share your feedback on working at UAB via our biennial campus engagement survey, which will run through Feb. 17. It only takes 20 minutes of your time, but your answers can lead to significant improvements to UAB’s professional culture.
UAB surveys faculty and full-and part-time employees in Workgroup A every two years to allow respondents to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. This year’s online survey is a follow up to the 2023 survey, which initiated enhancements to the performance management process, more opportunities for training and career development for managers, and the development of the new We CARE Shared Values.
Results from previous surveys have influenced a number of institution-wide improvements, from employee-learning experiences to new award programs, enhanced childcare support including the new Early Learning Center facility, and better communication from and with senior leadership. You can review action items from previous surveys on the Campus Engagement Survey website.
"The feedback from the last survey has inspired a number of changes and improvements in areas important to our faculty and staff,” says Janet May, Chief Human Resources Officer. “Conducting the Campus Engagement Survey every two years helps gauge and shape what makes UAB an employer of choice."
How does the survey work?
As in previous years, UAB will partner with ModernThink, an organizational development and management consulting firm. Modern Think specializes in developing surveys that ensure anonymity and encourage candid responses from employees, all with a goal of improving the work experience.
Modern Think will email employees an individualized link to the UAB Campus Engagement Survey on its secure website Feb. 3. The email sender is Great Colleges (surveys@modernthink.net). Work time may be used to complete the survey; look for an email from Great Colleges (surveys@modernthink.net). Most people will be able to complete the survey in about 15 minutes. You will be able to stop and restart the survey, if needed. A list of frequently asked questions is on the campus engagement site along with a review of changes prompted by the 2019 and 2023 surveys.
What kinds of questions will be in the survey?
ModernThink's survey is designed as a benchmark survey to solicit feedback on a broad range of topics focused on communication, job satisfaction and leadership effectiveness, among other themes.
If you are asked to evaluate your area’s senior leadership, supervisor or chair, note the following definitions:
- Senior leadership refers to the leader in charge of the broad unit in which you serve, specifically the vice president, dean or chief officer. Find yours here.
- Supervisor/division or department chair refers to your immediate supervisor. This is the person to whom you report directly, specifically the one who conducts your annual performance review.
What happens with the data?
ModernThink is expected to provide the aggregated results to UAB in March. President Ray Watts, senior leadership and survey steering committee will gather feedback, identify priority areas of action and will share the findings with you, along with plans to address action areas, before the spring semester ends.
What if I don’t have access to a computer at work?
Employees can access computers and Wi-Fi through UAB Libraries or complete the survey on their mobile devices.
Why are students not included in this survey?
The Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Survey is administered to all UAB students every other spring. UAB uses student feedback on institutional activities and services — from academics to student services to extracurricular activities — to improve student learning and life.
If you have questions that are not answered in the FAQs, please contact Susan Coan at 205-934-6257 or scoan@uab.edu, or Liz Flood, UAB's Project Manager at ModernThink, at 888-684-4658 or lflood@modernthink.com.