Dillard University, located in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, stands as a beacon of higher education in the United States. Established in 1869, this private liberal arts college is one of the nation's esteemed historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). With a student body of approximately 1,200 undergraduates, Dillard emphasizes empowering students through rigorous academics, community engagement, and leadership development. Nestled in the Gentilly neighborhood, the campus blends historic charm with modern facilities rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Jobs at Dillard University attract professionals passionate about fostering excellence in a diverse, vibrant environment. Whether you're eyeing faculty positions or administrative roles, opportunities here align with a mission rooted in social justice and academic innovation.
The story of Dillard University begins during Reconstruction, when Union soldiers founded Straight University and Union Normal School, which merged in 1930 to form Dillard. Named after Avery and Anna James Dillard, philanthropists dedicated to black education, the institution has evolved into a leader in undergraduate education. Its motto, "Ex Fide Fortis" (From Faith, Strength), encapsulates a commitment to holistic development. Surviving challenges like the 1915 New Orleans fire and Katrina's devastation, Dillard rebuilt with resilience, launching initiatives like the Dillard University Model United Nations. Today, jobs at Dillard University involve contributing to this legacy, supporting programs that prepare graduates for global impact. The university's focus on public service distinguishes it among university jobs in higher education.
Dillard offers over 40 majors across five colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Applied Science and Technology. Standouts include the College of Nursing, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, producing top-tier healthcare professionals. The Honors College challenges high-achievers with interdisciplinary studies. Faculty jobs at Dillard University often center on small class sizes (average 15:1 student-faculty ratio), enabling mentorship. Research in public health, environmental science, and STEM bridges classroom learning with real-world application, especially post-Katrina recovery efforts. Professionals in these roles shape the next generation, integrating New Orleans' cultural richness into curricula.
Career opportunities span faculty, administration, and support staff. Faculty positions dominate, with openings in nursing, biology, English, and music. Administrative jobs include directors of student success, admissions counselors, and HR specialists. Staff roles cover library services, IT, and facilities management. For a deeper dive into categories like professor or lecturer roles, visit university job types. Dillard prioritizes hires who embody its values, offering competitive salaries and benefits in Louisiana's dynamic higher ed landscape. Explore broader options via higher ed jobs or professor jobs.
Securing jobs at Dillard University demands specific credentials. Faculty positions typically require a PhD or terminal degree (e.g., DNP for nursing) in the relevant field from an accredited institution. Research focus varies: nursing emphasizes community health and disaster preparedness; sciences target underrepresented minority participation in STEM, often aligned with grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Preferred experience includes 3-5 years of teaching, peer-reviewed publications (aim for 5+ for tenure-track), and grant management—Dillard secured over $10 million in research funding recently.
Key skills and competencies encompass:
Administrative roles seek master's degrees in education or business, with experience in student retention strategies boosting success rates to 70%.
To fully grasp jobs at Dillard University, key terms include:
The application process starts on Dillard's careers portal (dillard.edu/human-resources). Submit a tailored CV highlighting HBCU alignment, cover letter addressing the mission, teaching philosophy statement, and three references. Interviews often include teaching demos and campus visits.
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Dillard excels in diversity as an HBCU with 95% African American students yet welcomes all. Initiatives include the Office of Multicultural Affairs, hosting dialogues on equity; Truth and Reconciliation Campus Initiative post-Katrina fostering healing; and partnerships with UNCF for scholarships. Faculty jobs emphasize inclusive pedagogy, with training in bias reduction. Annual events like Martin Luther King celebrations reinforce commitment. Women hold 60% of leadership roles, surpassing national averages.
Employees thrive amid New Orleans' jazz, cuisine, and festivals. Dillard's campus features green spaces, a fitness center, and employee wellness programs including EAP counseling. Flexible schedules support family life; tenure-track faculty average 12-15 credit hours teaching. Homecoming unites 10,000+ alumni, while proximity to French Quarter offers cultural escapes. Post-Katrina rebuild includes resilient infrastructure and mental health support. Salaries competitive ($55K-$90K staff/faculty), with tuition remission for dependents enhancing appeal in Louisiana's university salaries.
Joining Dillard means impacting lives in a tight-knit community, advancing research in vital areas, and immersing in New Orleans vibrancy. From mentoring future leaders to contributing to HBCU excellence, rewards extend beyond paychecks.
In summary, jobs at Dillard University offer meaningful paths in higher education. Browse higher ed jobs, seek higher ed career advice, explore university jobs, or post a job if recruiting. For research roles, check research jobs; administrators, administration jobs. Discover employer branding secrets via employer branding secrets or excel as a research assistant from how to excel as a research assistant.
