Stillwater, Oklahoma — The Oklahoman has recognized Meridian Technology Center as the Top Mid-Size Workplace in Oklahoma.

This is the seventh year that Meridian has been on the Top Workplaces list. Last year, the school was second in its division.

“The designation of being one of the state’s Top Workplaces is an honor in itself. Being recognized as the Top Medium Workplace is a testament to our employees and their commitment to the students we teach, the workforce clients we train and the communities we serve,” said Superintendent/CEO Dr. Douglas R. Major. “Our goal at Meridian is to help our students and communities reach their goals in their professional and personal lives. We’re able to do this because our employees are leading this journey by example.”

This is the second time Meridian has earned the Top Medium Workplace special recognition.

For Welding instructor Joe Steele, there’s not merely one thing that makes Meridian a Top Workplace; there are several.”

“I really like the positive culture and the high level of mutual respect,” he said. “For me, probably the biggest fulfillment is watching students succeed. When they come to us and get the right training it can change the course of their life.”

The Top Workplaces designations are 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.”

This year’s survey results reflect high support levels for the school’s direction, decisions and support.  Appreciation is a big part of Meridian’s culture, according to Maintenance Supervisor Tim Ketch.”

“I come to work every day, and everyone is just super to work with,” he said. “The other thing I love is seeing what we get accomplished and the compliments and thank yous from the people we work with.”

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 of “Educate. Enrich Lives. Secure economic futures.” School leaders and staff routinely connect values to ongoing projects, new initiatives and collaboration.

Long time Meridian employee Sherry Perrin attributes the positive survey results to the encouragement and commitment that exists within individual departments and across the school.

“I love working at Meridian, mainly because we’re all family,” Perrin said, reflecting on a time when coworkers provided support for her during a time of family tragedy. “You’re not alone in anything that you’re going through outside of work. You have a second family here.”

Climbing Higher

As well as having 856 students enrolled in full-time career training programs, in the year leading up to the survey Meridian’s Workforce and Economic Development team served 420 existing businesses, offered 272 personal and professional development courses and had 12,580 enrollments. The Center for Business Development is a business incubator that currently serves 13 companies that create jobs and commercialize new technologies.

Employees and students are committed to supporting the local community. The class of 2020 contributed more than 3,000 community service hours during their time at Tech. Staff members are encouraged to serve on local boards and professional organizations, and many do so. This year more than 80% of Meridian staff members contributed just over $16,500 to the United Way of Payne County fundraising efforts.