Cabrini College, located in Radnor, Pennsylvania, was a private Catholic liberal arts institution known for its commitment to social justice, community service, and personalized education. Nestled in a suburban setting just 14 miles from Philadelphia, it provided a supportive environment for academic professionals. Jobs at Cabrini College encompassed faculty positions, administrative roles, and support staff opportunities, emphasizing teaching excellence and student mentorship. Although the college transitioned to university status in 2016 and ultimately ceased undergraduate operations in May 2024 due to financial challenges, with its campus and select programs acquired by Villanova University, legacy insights into its career landscape remain valuable for understanding similar roles in regional higher education. AcademicJobs.com lists positions that align with institutions like this, helping professionals find matching opportunities.
The institution's mission, rooted in the values of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, shaped its hiring practices, prioritizing candidates who embodied service, integrity, and inclusivity. Typical jobs at Cabrini College included tenure-track professors, adjunct instructors, department chairs, admissions counselors, and student affairs coordinators. Salaries were competitive for a small college, with assistant professors averaging $65,000-$75,000 annually, according to data from the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). For those seeking faculty roles, explore higher ed faculty jobs for current listings.
Founded in 1957 by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cabrini College began as a women's college before becoming coeducational in 1970. It grew into a respected commuter and residential campus serving about 1,500 undergraduates and 900 graduate students at its peak. The college offered over 40 majors, with strengths in education, business, communication, and social sciences. In 2016, it rebranded as Cabrini University to reflect expanded graduate programs. Despite achievements like high student retention rates (over 80%) and strong regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, demographic shifts and enrollment declines led to its closure announcement in June 2023. The transition preserved its spirit through program transfers and faculty relocations, offering lessons for job seekers in evolving higher ed landscapes.
This history influenced jobs at Cabrini College, where roles often involved innovative teaching methods, such as service-learning courses that integrated community engagement. Professionals contributed to a vibrant campus culture, including annual events like the Sister Kathryn Sullivan Festival of Service.
Cabrini College featured diverse positions tailored to its liberal arts focus. Faculty jobs dominated, with openings in departments like Teacher Education, where candidates taught methods courses and supervised student teachers. Business administration roles emphasized experiential learning, such as internships with local firms in the Philadelphia area. Administrative jobs included roles in student development, leveraging the college's small size for direct impact.
For a full breakdown of university job types, including how they vary by institution size, visit our guide. Post-closure, many employees transitioned to nearby schools, highlighting the region's robust higher ed job market.
To understand jobs at Cabrini College fully, here are essential terms:
Jobs at Cabrini College demanded rigorous credentials aligned with its academic standards. Full-time faculty positions generally required a PhD or equivalent terminal degree in the relevant field, such as a Doctor of Education (EdD) for education roles. For example, a biology professor needed a PhD in biology or related discipline from an accredited institution. Master's degrees sufficed for adjunct or lecturer positions, especially in professional fields like accounting or nursing.
Administrative roles often sought a master's in higher education administration, student affairs, or business. All candidates needed U.S. work authorization. Regional accreditation ensured qualifications met standards set by bodies like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for business programs.
As a primarily undergraduate institution, research at Cabrini College focused on applied scholarship supporting teaching. Expertise in interdisciplinary areas, like environmental studies tied to local Pennsylvania ecosystems, was prized. Faculty engaged in student-faculty collaborative projects, often funded by internal grants averaging $5,000. Preferred areas included social justice research, reflecting the college's ethos, and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
For STEM roles, expertise in lab-based pedagogy was essential. Learn how to excel with our postdoctoral success guide.
Employers at Cabrini College favored candidates with 3-5 years of teaching experience, demonstrated by strong student evaluations (e.g., 4.5/5 average). Publications (2-5 peer-reviewed articles), grant writing success, and conference presentations were advantageous. Skills included proficiency in learning management systems like Canvas, data-driven curriculum design, and cultural competency.
Competencies like leadership in accreditation processes or program development boosted candidacy. Check employer branding secrets for insights.
The application process for jobs at Cabrini College involved online submission via the HR portal, including a cover letter, CV, teaching philosophy statement (1-2 pages), and three references. Deadlines aligned with academic calendars, often fall for spring hires. Post-closure, similar processes apply at successor institutions.
Actionable tips:
Average hiring timeline: 3-6 months, with campus visits for finalists.
Cabrini College championed diversity through the Sister Thea Bowman Center for Academic and Endowed Scholarships, which supported Black and Hispanic students and faculty. Initiatives included bias training, affinity groups, and recruitment from underrepresented pools, achieving 25% students of color. The college participated in the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC) for inclusive hiring. Faculty development workshops addressed equitable pedagogy, fostering an environment where diverse voices thrived.
Cabrini College's 112-acre campus in Radnor offered green spaces, fitness centers, and wellness programs like free yoga and counseling. Employees enjoyed tuition remission for dependents, flexible schedules for faculty, and 12 paid holidays. Proximity to Philadelphia provided cultural access, while the suburban locale ensured low commute stress. Community events, such as faculty-staff softball games and holiday parties, built camaraderie. Generous parental leave (up to 12 weeks) and sabbaticals every 7 years supported balance. Though closed, these elements exemplify ideal small-college environments.
Jobs at Cabrini College exemplified rewarding academic careers in a mission-driven setting. For similar opportunities, browse higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, university jobs, or post a job on AcademicJobs.com. Explore lecturer jobs or administration jobs in Pennsylvania.
View all University Jobs
Post and Connect – the new way of promoting your higher ed jobs
There are currently no jobs available.
Get alerts from AcademicJobs.com as soon as new jobs are posted
