Explore Exciting New Career Opportunities at Highland Community College
Highland Community College Employer Profile
AcademicJobs.com is the premier job board for academic, faculty, research, and higher education positions worldwide. This dedicated profile showcases Highland Community College as a leading employer on our platform, highlighting its commitment to excellence in teaching, innovation, and scholarly achievement. Discover the university’s vibrant community, world-class facilities, and diverse career opportunities designed to attract top talent from around the globe. Whether you are an aspiring academic or an experienced professional, explore what makes Highland Community College an exceptional place to advance your career.
Highland Community College Jobs offer a distinctive entry point into academic careers in Kansas. Located in Highland, Kansas, this historic institution serves students across northeast Kansas through strong programs in nursing, agriculture, business, criminal justice, and the liberal arts. For academics, job seekers, and students, the college provides a close-knit teaching environment, competitive community-college salaries, and opportunities to make a lasting impact on first-generation and rural learners. This page brings together current faculty job opportunities, salary ranges, professor ratings, and career progression guidance. Use the Rate My Professor tool to evaluate educators at Highland Community College, or explore higher education jobs to find the latest openings. Whether you are an experienced professor, a new lecturer, or a student planning your academic journey, this guide supports your next step.
About Highland Community College
Highland Community College, located in Highland, Kansas within the United States, is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Kansas. Its roots trace back to the Highland Mission, established by Presbyterian missionaries in the 1830s, and the college was formally chartered as Highland University in 1858. Over time, the institution evolved into Highland Junior College and later became the comprehensive community college known today. The main campus in Highland serves as the academic and cultural center, while regional learning centers and technical facilities extend the college's reach across northeast Kansas.
Highland Community College combines a strong liberal arts foundation with career and technical education. Students pursue associate degrees that transfer to four-year universities or complete workforce-ready credentials in fields such as nursing, agriculture, welding, business, criminal justice, and the arts. The college emphasizes small class sizes, personalized instruction, and affordable tuition, which makes it an especially attractive place for educators who want to teach rather than simply lecture. Its athletic teams, the Scotties, compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association, contributing to a vibrant campus culture.
The institution's mission centers on student success, community engagement, and continuous improvement. Faculty at Highland Community College work closely with first-generation college students, rural learners, and career changers, creating an academic environment that values mentorship, practical learning, and inclusive teaching. For detailed information about programs, policies, and institutional history, visit the Highland Community College Website. You can also compare this opportunity with academic jobs in Kansas or explore higher education jobs across the state.
Faculty Job Opportunities at Highland Community College
Faculty job opportunities at Highland Community College span a variety of academic and technical disciplines. The college regularly seeks instructors and professors in nursing and health sciences, agriculture and animal science, English and communications, mathematics, biology and chemistry, criminal justice, business, and career-technical fields such as welding and precision agriculture. Community colleges like Highland often hire both full-time faculty and adjunct instructors. Full-time roles typically include teaching 15 credit hours per semester, advising students, serving on committees, and contributing to curriculum development. High-demand positions often offer competitive salaries and benefits, especially in technical and healthcare programs where market demand is strong.
Assistant or Associate Professor of Nursing
Coordinates simulation labs, clinical placements, and classroom instruction. Estimated salary range: $52,000 to $72,000.
Instructor or Assistant Professor of Agriculture
Focuses on animal science, agribusiness, and precision agriculture. Estimated salary range: $46,000 to $63,000.
Lecturer in English or Communications
Teaches first-year writing, public speaking, and developmental communication. Estimated salary range: $42,000 to $58,000.
Welding Technology Instructor
Delivers career and technical education in welding, fabrication, and safety. Estimated salary range: $45,000 to $60,000.
Biology or Health Sciences Instructor
Covers anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pre-health coursework. Estimated salary range: $48,000 to $65,000.
Criminal Justice Instructor
Teaches law enforcement, corrections, ethics, and criminal procedure. Estimated salary range: $44,000 to $61,000.
These salary ranges are based on public data for Kansas community colleges and actual offers at Highland Community College may vary by education, experience, and grant funding. Browse community college jobs or professor positions to compare openings, and check adjunct professor roles for part-time teaching opportunities.
Why Work at Highland Community College
Academic careers at Highland Community College offer a rare combination of institutional history, rural affordability, and meaningful teaching. Because class sizes are small, professors can build strong relationships with students and adapt instruction to individual learning needs. This is especially valuable for educators who want to focus on teaching rather than research output. The college's historic mission, grounded in the values of access and community service, gives faculty the chance to support first-generation college students and adult learners who are balancing work, family, and education.
Highland Community College also offers practical advantages. Northeast Kansas provides a lower cost of living than many larger academic markets, which means faculty salaries often stretch further when it comes to housing, commuting, and everyday expenses. In addition, the college supports professional development, curriculum innovation, and collaborative planning across departments. Faculty may participate in shared governance, accreditation projects, and community partnerships that connect academic programs with local employers. For job seekers who value teaching excellence, community impact, and work-life balance, faculty jobs at Highland Community College represent a compelling next step.
Salary Guide for Faculty at Highland Community College
Faculty salaries at Highland Community College vary by rank, discipline, education, and years of experience. The figures below reflect typical salary ranges for Kansas community colleges and full-time faculty roles at institutions comparable to Highland Community College. Actual offers at Highland Community College may differ based on budget, grant funding, and negotiated contracts. Use this guide as a starting point when evaluating academic career opportunities in Kansas.
| Position | Entry to Mid Range | Experienced Range |
|---|---|---|
| Adjunct or Part-Time Instructor | $700 to $1,100 per credit hour | $1,100 to $1,500 per credit hour |
| Instructor or Lecturer | $42,000 to $50,000 | $50,000 to $62,000 |
| Assistant Professor | $45,000 to $55,000 | $55,000 to $68,000 |
| Associate Professor | $52,000 to $62,000 | $62,000 to $75,000 |
| Professor or Senior Faculty | $58,000 to $70,000 | $70,000 to $85,000 |
| Program Director or Division Chair | $65,000 to $80,000 | $80,000 to $98,000 |
Several factors influence faculty salaries at Highland Community College. Advanced degrees, professional certifications, and years of teaching experience typically raise starting pay. Faculty in high-demand fields such as nursing, agriculture, and industrial technology may receive market adjustments or additional stipends. Summer teaching, overload courses, and grant-funded projects can also increase annual earnings. For a broader comparison of professor salaries and university salaries, visit the AcademicJobs.com salary resources. These tools help academics benchmark compensation across institutions and plan career moves.
Rate My Professor: Top Educators at Highland Community College
Choosing the right professor can shape a student's academic experience. Rate My Professor on AcademicJobs.com helps students and colleagues find top-rated educators at Highland Community College based on real feedback about teaching clarity, availability, and course quality. The following illustrative profiles represent the kinds of highly rated educators found at community colleges like Highland. Ratings are shown on a 5.0 scale.
Dr. Amy Carlson
Mathematics
Rating: 4.8
Clear explanations and approachable office hours.
Dr. James Parker
History
Rating: 4.7
Lecture-driven with strong connections to current events.
Dr. Linda Ruiz
Nursing
Rating: 4.9
Expert clinical mentorship and NCLEX preparation.
Dr. Robert Hayes
Agriculture
Rating: 4.8
Hands-on labs and farm-based learning.
Professor Emily Sanders
English
Rating: 4.6
Detailed feedback and supportive writing workshops.
Dr. Michael Chen
Chemistry
Rating: 4.7
Lab-focused teaching and accessible outside class.
Student feedback helps recognize teaching excellence and supports better course selection. Whether you want to review a professor, share your experience, or find the highest-rated faculty in your major, the Rate My Professor platform provides a trusted starting point. Dive deeper into professor ratings for Highland Community College and explore course ratings to make informed academic decisions.
Career Progression at Highland Community College
Academics at Highland Community College typically progress through a clear sequence of instructional and leadership roles. Many faculty begin as adjunct instructors or lecturers, move into full-time instructor positions, and then advance to assistant professor, associate professor, and professor or senior faculty roles. While traditional tenure is less common at community colleges than at research universities, Highland Community College and similar Kansas institutions support advancement through multi-year contracts, rank promotion, and professional achievement in teaching, service, and curriculum development.
Faculty who demonstrate strong teaching evaluations, program leadership, and student success outcomes may move into department chair, program director, or division chair roles. From there, opportunities can expand into dean of instruction, academic affairs, workforce development, or college administration. Each step typically brings higher salaries, broader responsibility, and greater influence over academic quality. For job seekers planning their next move, AcademicJobs.com offers higher education career advice, a free resume template, and a free cover letter template to support applications for faculty and administrative roles at Highland Community College.
Research and Innovation at Highland Community College
Research and innovation at Highland Community College are grounded in applied learning, workforce development, and the scholarship of teaching. Faculty and students participate in hands-on projects that connect classroom concepts to real-world challenges. Agriculture programs use field plots, livestock facilities, and precision agriculture technology to test practical methods in crop and animal science. Nursing and health science programs incorporate simulation labs that prepare students for clinical decision-making and patient safety.
The college also encourages collaborative projects with local employers, high schools, and regional partners to address workforce needs in northeast Kansas. Honors students may pursue independent study, capstone projects, and undergraduate research under faculty mentorship. While Highland Community College is primarily a teaching institution, faculty innovation in curriculum, assessment, and community engagement remains a key part of its academic identity. Explore research jobs and research assistant jobs to find related opportunities across Kansas and beyond.
Resources for Highland Community College Academics
- Human resources and employee benefits: contact the Highland Community College Human Resources office for current health, retirement, and tuition assistance programs.
- Kansas Public Employees Retirement System: eligible employees may participate in KPERS, which provides retirement benefits for public college staff in Kansas.
- Professional development: faculty can access institutional workshops, Kansas Board of Regents initiatives, and regional teaching conferences.
- Academic job tools: use the free resume template and free cover letter template from AcademicJobs.com to strengthen applications.
- Career planning: browse higher education career advice for guidance on interviews, negotiations, and promotion.
- Job search: find targeted openings through community college jobs and lecturer jobs pages.
Student Life and Perspectives at Highland Community College
Students at Highland Community College benefit from a supportive campus environment where faculty know their names and academic advising is personal. The college offers transfer pathways to Kansas four-year universities, career and technical programs, online courses, and student organizations that build leadership skills. Scottie athletics, arts events, and campus activities give students opportunities to connect beyond the classroom. For those deciding which courses to take, Rate My Professor provides valuable insights from past students about teaching styles, workload, and clarity. Students can use these ratings alongside the academic calendar and scholarship resources to plan a successful semester.
Career services at Highland Community College help students connect academic choices with employment outcomes, internships, and transfer opportunities. By combining professor ratings, salary research, and job market data available on AcademicJobs.com, students and job seekers can make informed decisions about majors, graduate school, and academic careers. Whether you are preparing for nursing licensure, transferring to a university, or entering the workforce, Highland Community College offers a practical, student-centered path.