This is not a God, Family, Country school
Pros
The campus is immaculate and designed to impress students and families. Some roles allow for meaningful student interactions. Marketing and branding efforts are polished and professional. Occasional staff perks like access to events, campus amenities, or discounts.
Cons
Poor Work-Life Balance: Full-time staff are expected to work holidays like Christmas Eve unless personal time is used. There's little regard for family commitments despite public messaging that emphasizes “Family.” Religious Coercion: Prayer is included in all-staff meetings, emails promote religious events, and leadership frequently makes exclusionary religious statements. This creates a hostile environment for non-religious or non-Christian staff. Toxic Culture: Conformity is expected. Voicing different opinions, raising concerns, or simply asking questions can result in marginalization or what feels like quiet firing. Disrespect for National Holidays: Despite the “God, Family, Country” motto, key country-related holidays (Labor Day, Veterans Day, Juneteenth) are not observed for full-time staff. Inconsistent Leadership: Expectations and policies change frequently without formal communication. Departments enforce rules differently and often based on favoritism. Lack of Mental Health or Accessibility Support: The university promotes itself as inclusive, but in practice, staff needs are often ignored or mishandled. Problematic All-Staff Meetings: Meetings include religious elements, celebrity performances, and long-winded speeches by the president criticizing staff while touting the university's success. One meeting featured America's Got Talent performers, followed by a speech scolding staff and declaring they should feel "lucky" to work at HPU—ending with gifts that felt tone-deaf. HR is Ineffective: Staff frequently have to chase down HR for updates or resolutions on important matters.
