2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 3
CollabWritive Special Issue
Available Online: 2 February 2026
Author/s:
Gesmundo, Jisella P.*
Graduate School, Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas, Philippines (jisellagesmundo@gmail.com)
Garcia, Reynalda B.
Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas, Philippines (rbgarcia@lpubatangas.edu.ph)
Abstract:
This study investigated employees’ motivation, engagement, and sustainable best practices in community extension programs across higher educational institutions. Utilizing a descriptive-correlational research design, the study involved non-teaching and teaching employees from selected HEIs as participants. Data were gathered using a validated instrument with excellent internal consistency, as assessed by Cronbach’s alpha. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Scheffe post hoc tests, and correlation analyses were employed to analyze the data. Findings showed that the workforce was predominantly female and early-career, with a balanced proportion of teaching and non-teaching personnel. Results revealed high levels of motivation across intrinsic, extrinsic, and altruistic domains, with altruistic motivation emerging as the strongest factor. Engagement was also high across awareness, participation, and skills development, indicating strong involvement in the community extension activities and meaningful application of academic knowledge. Sustainable best practices were rated strongly, particularly in sustainability and monitoring and evaluation, highlighting environmental stewardship, participatory governance, and systematic evaluation processes. Significant differences were observed based on years in service, with employees serving 11-15 years showing greater motivation and engagement. Correlation analyses revealed highly significant positive relationships between motivation, engagement, and sustainable practices, suggesting that motivated and engaged employees substantially contribute to effective and long-lasting community extension programs. Overall, the study highlights the crucial role of intrinsic values, institutional support, and capacity building in enhancing community extension initiatives and promoting sustainable development through higher education.
Keywords: community extension, engagement, HEIs, motivation, sustainable practices, sustainability
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26603
Cite this article:
Gesmundo, J. P., & Garcia, R. B. (2026). Employee motivation, engagement, and sustainable best practices in the community extension program of higher educational institutions. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(3), 25-34. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26603
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