The Oklahoman has recognized Meridian Technology Center as a Top Mid-Size Workplace in Oklahoma. This is the tenth year that the school has received this designation.

“Our dedication lies in recruiting top-tier individuals to contribute to our mission of educating, enriching lives, and ensuring economic futures for the residents in our district,” explained Superintendent/CEO Dr. Douglas R. Major. “Every member of our staff plays a crucial part in cultivating an atmosphere that nurtures growth, fosters innovation and positively influences the lives of those we serve. The people who work here are what make Meridian a Top Workplace.”

The Top Workplaces designation is based solely on employee feedback. Meridian employees completed a survey created by Energage, LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement. Employees were asked to evaluate the company’s direction, execution of ideas, connectedness to the organization, role satisfaction, supervision and employee benefits.

“The pursuit of awards doesn’t drive this process,” Major emphasized. “Instead, we see it as a structure empowering our employees to share insights on our strengths and identify areas where we can further develop.”

This year’s survey results reflect that Meridian employees are well connected in the workplace, collaborate effectively on their teams, appreciate their work is meaningful and agree that processes are efficient.

For South Campus Administrative Professional, Victoria Heyvaert, what makes Meridian a great place to work is the support she receives.

“Meridian supports me both professionally and personally,” Heyvaert said. “Meridian gives us amazing opportunities and benefits and I feel cared about here.”

Heyvaert was a student in the Business Technology program at Meridian prior to her employment at the school’s South Campus. 

Brooke Brown, Senior Graphic Designer, has worked at Meridian for 15 years and believes in the school’s mission.

“The people who work here truly carry out the values and mission of Meridian every day,” Brown said. “The staff here make coming to work meaningful and fun.”

The Meridian staff believe in the school’s work to support students and the district. Brown’s department highlights unique stories and events.

“I’ve been so lucky to celebrate so many success stories of not only our students but our staff and faculty as well,” Brown said.

Connecting with students makes work at the school meaningful to many at Meridian. Criminal Justice Instructor, Les Little, enjoys his interaction with students.

“The students make work fun and exciting,” Little said. “Each student is unique and they make it a joy to be here.”

The relationship between students and the school’s staff doesn’t happen by accident. Instructors and support staff have professional development sessions on connecting with students from various backgrounds and the unique challenges they may face. The school’s administrative framework is built around small learning communities that ensure each student has several staff members who work closely with them. These efforts pay off for students and staff.

The Impact of Values-Based Leadership

Meridian’s values are relationships, excellence, innovation, integrity, empowerment and impact. Icons representing these values are located in several campus areas to remind staff and students of the school’s commitment to its mission to “Educate. Enrich lives. Secure economic futures.” In addition to these visual reminders, school leaders and staff routinely connect values to ongoing projects, new initiatives and collaboration. Throughout campus, students and guests can access values cards available for input on how they have experienced staff members living out the school’s values. Comments are shared with the employee’s supervisor. During staff meetings, Dr. Major recognizes staff members for their effort.

Recent examples of how students and staff live out the school’s values include raising over $17,000 for United Way of Payne County, launching a new full time program in Underground Utility Locating to meet the demand in a growing industry, providing scholarships to full-time adult students, collecting cans for the Harvest II food drive and hosting Discovery Day to allow 8th graders to explore career paths.