The University Co-op Honored with Multiple Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards 

Austin, TX — October 22, 2025— The University Co-op is proud to announce it has been recognized with multiple 2025 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards by Energage, a purpose-driven organization that helps companies build and brand exceptional workplace cultures. The Top Workplaces program has a 17-year history of surveying and celebrating people-first organizations nationally and across 60 regional markets. These prestigious honors reflect the Co-op’s continued commitment to fostering a people-first environment that supports, empowers, and celebrates its team members. 

Top Workplaces Culture Excellence awards recognize organizations that excel in specific areas of workplaces culture. The University Co-op received recognition in the following categories: 

  • Work-Life Flexibility – for offering team members options in how and where they work, and for cultivating managers who care deeply about team member well-being. 

  • Leadership – for inspiring confidence and aligning company direction with team member and customer needs. 

  • Innovation – for embedding creativity and idea-sharing into the organizational culture. 

  • Compensation & Benefits – for providing meaningful rewards and recognition for team member contributions. 

  • Employee Appreciation – for cultivating a culture of gratitude and motivation. 

These awards are based entirely on team member feedback gathered through Energage’s research-backed engagement survey, underscoring the authenticity of the recognition. 

“At the University Co-op, our mission to serve Longhorn students starts with supporting the people who make it possible,” said Cheryl Phifer, President & CEO of the University Co-op. “These awards reflect the heart of our culture: one that values flexibility, innovation, and appreciation. We’re proud to be a workplace where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to grow.” 

The Co-op was established nearly 130 years ago with the goal of addressing the rising cost of course materials for students. Today, the Co-op is still focused on reducing the cost of course materials for students. As a not-for-profit, the Co-op gives all profits back to students through course material scholarships for Longhorns. Over 9,000 students will receive a course material scholarship this academic year. The University Co-op has given over $2,000,000 to course material scholarships since 2022. 

For more information about the University Co-op and its commitment to talent satisfaction, please visit https://www.universitycoop.com/.   

Contact:  

Kate Mounger  

VP of Marketing 

University Co-op   

katemounger@universitycoop.com  

512-476-7211 ext. 2027