Presentation
Impacts of Work Safety Perception on Work Engagement in Tribal Colleges and Universities.
SessionPoster Session 1
DescriptionTribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), often situated in rural and underserved regions, have recently faced increasing safety concerns, including a suspected arson incident in 2025 and a campus shooting in 2022. Combined with the historical and intergenerational trauma experienced by many Indigenous communities, such events may influence employees’ perceived safety in the workplace. Perceptions of safety, in turn, can significantly affect work engagement—an essential factor in organizational performance and employee well-being. This study examined the relationship between safety perceptions and work engagement among employees at TCUs using a cross-sectional survey administered between September and December 2024. The survey incorporated the Work Safety Scale and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and was disseminated via purposive sampling to TCU representatives. Hypothesis testing was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results revealed that perceived job safety significantly predicted all three components of work engagement—absorption, vigor, and dedication—while coworker safety showed a more nuanced or even negative influence. These findings underscore the importance of fostering a comprehensive safety climate at TCUs and highlight the need for culturally responsive safety initiatives tailored to the unique social and historical context of Indigenous-serving institutions.
Event Type
Poster
TimeTuesday, October 14th5:30pm - 6:30pm CDT
LocationRiverside East
Similar Presentations