Rising Levels of Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Tell a Compelling Story: The University’s Workplace Culture Isn’t Just Strong, it’s Flourishing
Charles Town, WV — June 06, 2025 — American Public University System (APUS) has been officially certified as a Great Place to Work®, a recognition earned through highly positive employee satisfaction.
University employees recently participated in The Trust Index Survey which measures trust, pride, and camaraderie. Every day, these employees show up with more energy, more purpose, and a stronger connection to their work. It’s not just a trend—it’s a reflection of something deeper. With employee engagement and satisfaction continually rising, the University’s culture has become clear: employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
This milestone is more than just a high score on a survey—it shows APUS’s culture is rooted in purpose. University employees don’t just come to work; they show up each day knowing they’re making a difference in the lives of global students, including servicemen, servicewomen, and veterans. There is a shared sense of pride in advancing a mission that prioritizes affordable, accessible, and high-quality education.
“This incredible honor is a powerful testament to the passion, energy, and dedication of our entire University community,” said Nuno Fernandes, President of APUS. “Being named a Great Place to Work® isn’t just a badge of pride—it’s a clear reflection of our commitment to building a vibrant, purpose-driven culture where top talent thrives, and both our employees and students can strive for extraordinary success. I am a believer in developing your people into the kind of talent the world competes for. I believe in building a culture so magnetic that employees flourish.”
The University’s culture is strengthened by open conversations, trust in leadership, and a people-first mindset woven into the fabric of the APUS Vibes culture.
Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation.
According to a 2024 APUS employee survey, employee satisfaction increased significantly across all categories, including a 23-point increase in satisfaction, and a 17-point decrease in dissatisfaction compared to 2023.
“Creating a workplace where people feel valued and heard is a top priority for our university,” said Mauricia Blackwell, Vice President of Human Resources. “Our employees appreciate our emphasis on communication, alignment, and personal well-being. We’re grateful for everything they do, and we have made a bold commitment to unlocking their full potential.”
University employees consistently cite feeling engaged and supported, have flexible remote work options and several professional development opportunities.
“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that American Public University System stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees."
According to Great Place to Work® research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work.
Visit here to see current job openings at APUS: https://www.apus.edu/about/careers/.
About Great Place to Work Certification™
Great Place To Work® Certification™ is the most definitive “employer-of-choice” recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience – specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified.
About Great Place To Work®
As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work® brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All™ Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified™ or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ List. Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About American Public University System
American Public University System (APUS) delivers affordable, high-quality, workforce-relevant higher education. With a rich, 33-year history and vibrant community of over 155,000 alumni from more than 80 countries, APUS is recognized for its innovative approach to online learning1. APUS is in the top 22% for students’ return on educational investment, compared to 4,396 colleges and universities nationwide, based on data collected by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (2025)2.
APUS, which includes American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU), is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. APUS is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI). For more information, visit www.apus.edu.
1APUS has been honored with the online Learning Consortium’s Gomory Award for Quality Online Education and is a five-time recipient of the consortium’s Effective Practice Award https://www.apus.edu/newsroom/awards/.
2Ranking based on the most recent data available (2021-2022 cohort) showing students’ median earnings 20 years following their initial enrollment at APUS https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/roi2025/.
American Public University System, American Public University, and American Military University are not affiliated with American University or the U.S. Military.
