Work Motivation and Organizational Commitment of Private Higher Education Institution Employees as Mediated by Their Work Engagement

his quantitative, non-experimental study aims to determine employees' work motivation and organizationalcommitment in private higher education institutions (HEI), with work engagement as a mediating variable. A random samplingtechnique was employed to select 854 permanent employees as respondents, utilizing a correlational approach. Data were collectedthrough a structured and validated face-to-face questionnaire, ensuring a high response rate. The instrument was designed tomeasure work motivation, organizational commitment, and work engagement. Partial mediation analysis was conducted to evaluatethe role of work engagement in the relationship between work motivation and organizational commitment. The findings reveal thatemployees in private HEIs in General Santos City exhibit high levels of work motivation, influenced by factors such as motivators,work culture, nature of work, and self-sacrifice. Organizational commitment is also high, characterized by strong affective,normative, and continuance commitment.Similarly, work engagement, defined by vigor, dedication, and absorption, is high. The mediation analysis revealed that workengagement partially mediates the relationship between work motivation and organizational commitment. It suggests that whilework motivation directly influences organizational commitment, it also has an indirect influence through the mediating role of workengagement. These findings underscore the importance of enhancing work engagement as a strategic approach to strengtheningmotivation and commitment among HEI employees.