Impacts of Work Safety Perception on Work Engagement in Tribal Colleges and Universities

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), often in rural and underserved areas, face safety concerns, including arson and a campus shooting. These events may affect employees’ perceived safety, which impacts work engagement, crucial for organizational performance and employee well-being. This study examined the relationship between safety perceptions and work engagement among TCU employees using a cross-sectional survey (September–December 2024). The survey included the Work Safety Scale and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, disseminated to 86 TCU representatives. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed that perceived job safety predicted all three work engagement components—absorption, vigor, and dedication—while coworker safety had a more nuanced or negative influence. These findings emphasize the need for a comprehensive safety climate at TCUs and culturally responsive safety initiatives tailored to their unique social and historical context.