Kansas University has been named one of the “great colleges to work for,” according to a new survey.

KU was recognized as a top-five university among large institutions in 12 out of 27 categories, according to a report appearing in the Friday edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Among the categories were teaching environment, facilities and security, collaborative governance and work-life balance.

“This recognition confirms what we know – KU is a great place to be,” Chancellor Robert Hemenway said in a statement.

“And it is a tribute to our community of students, faculty and staff who create and support the KU environment.”

The magazine’s cover features KU professor of ecology Helen Alexander.

“From my understanding, KU was contacted (about a photograph) because they had rated highly,” Alexander said. “Someone found a file photo of me they liked. I’m proud to help out, though.”

Although she hadn’t read the article yet, Alexander said she felt comfortable saying that KU has been a positive place to work.

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, schools were ranked based on survey responses from more than 15,000 administrators, faculty and staff at 89 colleges.

Michael Ettredge, a Crown/Sherr professor of business with the School of Business, said he thought because the Chronicle had sent the survey to faculty and staff, it was a fair look at how the majority of KU employees felt.

“I have only worked at one other university, so it’s hard for me to compare,” he said. “But there are a lot of good things about KU.”

Kay Coblentz, an administrative associate senior for the School of Fine Arts for the past two years, said she agreed with the report.

“I like working with the faculty and students,” she said.

The only other universities to make more top five appearances than KU were Stanford in 24 categories, and Emory in Atlanta and Michigan, both in 13.