Employee Appreciation Day is the first Friday of each March. While our calendars are filled with days of appreciation, this one stands out as one that affects just about everyone who has a job. Yet, when it comes to our workplaces, many employees at all levels wonder if what they do really makes a difference. Many go to work, do their assignments, and return home each day, wondering if anyone noticed. In spite of this, business literature typically upholds purpose in work as one of the greatest incentives to motivate us to wake up each morning and to punch our time cards.
As I was preparing to transition from my previous employment to become president of York University, I met with a mentor of mine and asked him the following question: “How do you lead people with a diversity of interests towards a common goal?” His response was profoundly simple, “Focus on the mission.” In other words, the common mission, the common purpose, motivates and helps us think past our differences in order to have collective success. Hopefully, the culture in an organization, like York University, is to believe deeply that success is realized when the entire organization prospers.
One of the pillars of York University’s strategic plan is the employee experience. This strategic plan was created before I assumed the presidency, but I have always been glad to know that employee experience is being held up as a critical piece of the YU identity. Schools like YU need to be the kinds of work environments where it is easier to stay than to leave; however, Christian higher education in general is a challenging business. The ebb and flow of the semester can be draining. Teaching has highs and lows. The important behind-the-scenes work of support staff never seems to end. Perhaps most significantly, a non-profit, faith-based institution normally is operating on a shoestring budget. So, why should anyone come, and why should they stay?
I wish there were an easy answer; but after over 20 years working in higher education as staff, faculty, and now in administration, I have a few ideas of what makes places like York University different and why it is worth the sacrifice.
First, we love our students. Student-centric devotion within higher education is a common theme. Knowing that each day we play a role in encouraging our students of today and preparing leaders for tomorrow gives us a true sense of calling and meaning.
Second, we love our mission. The mission of York University is to “transform lives through Christ-centered education; equipping students for life-long service to God, family, and society.” We not only memorize this and hang it on our walls around campus, we believe it. We internalize it. We believe that because our work is centered on Christ that this is one of the most important jobs anyone can ever have. We are in Christ-kingdom business. Christian education serves as a medium as we live out the mandate of the Great Commission to help our students, faculty, and staff be thriving disciples of Jesus Christ. We are not ashamed of this mission. We lean into it.
Third, we love each other. Christian colleges and universities are usually smaller institutions. People know each other well. We tend to have co-workers who are related by birth or by marriage. Colleagues often share common college memories when they were classmates, teammates, and roommates. Those who come to our communities from the outside are quickly assimilated. What someone told me once about YU is that if you love York, York will love you. So far, that has been quite true.
As we reflect on the Panther Life at York University, I hope and pray that all of us will be able to see that the work we do transforms lives for Jesus. This is important. It is also my prayer that each of us who has committed years of service to YU will feel noticed and supported as we walk alongside each other on this beautiful journey of Christian higher education. To my fellow colleagues and sojourners at YU, thank you for your dedication to our mission and to our students.
— Dr. Timothy Westbrook, York University President