MacMurray College was a private liberal arts college (a type of institution focusing on broad undergraduate education in humanities, sciences, and arts) located in Jacksonville, Illinois. Founded in 1846, it served the higher education community until its closure in May 2020 due to financial difficulties amid declining enrollment. Situated in a small city about 70 miles from Springfield and 200 miles from Chicago, the college offered a close-knit campus environment ideal for personalized teaching and community engagement. While no jobs are currently available at MacMurray College, understanding its structure provides insight into typical roles in small liberal arts institutions across the United States.
The campus spanned 60 acres with historic buildings, residence halls, and facilities for athletics and performing arts. With around 500 students at its peak, positions emphasized teaching over research, making it attractive for educators passionate about undergraduate mentorship. For those seeking similar opportunities, explore higher ed jobs in Illinois or nearby regions.
Established as the Illinois Conference Female Academy by the Presbyterian Church, MacMurray College evolved into a coeducational liberal arts institution in 1861, named after Edward R. MacMurray, a church leader. Over 174 years, it developed strengths in teacher education, music, business, and nursing. Notable alumni include leaders in education and public service. The college's closure marked the end of an era for Jacksonville's higher education landscape, with assets transferred to the University of Illinois Springfield and Lincoln Land Community College. This transition highlights challenges small colleges face, such as enrollment drops and rising costs, common in US higher ed.
Historically, MacMurray jobs contributed to a tradition of faculty dedicated to student success, with many professors staying long-term due to the supportive atmosphere. Its legacy lives on through alumni networks and partnerships, influencing job markets in central Illinois.
Before closing, MacMurray College offered a range of positions typical of small liberal arts schools. Faculty jobs dominated, including professors in departments like education, business administration, biology, music, and religion. Administrative roles covered admissions counselors, registrars, and HR specialists. Support staff included librarians, coaches for sports like baseball and softball, and facilities managers. Part-time adjunct professors taught specific courses, while postdoctoral-like roles were rare due to the teaching focus.
For a full breakdown of university job types, including tenure-track faculty, lecturers, and executive positions, visit our guide. Examples included Director of Nursing requiring RN licensure and MSN, or Assistant Professor of Music needing DMA and performance experience.
Key terms related to jobs at MacMurray College:
Faculty positions at MacMurray College generally required a doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, or equivalent terminal degree) in the relevant field for tenure-track roles. For example, professors in sciences needed PhDs in biology or chemistry, while education roles often required master's degrees plus teaching certification from the Illinois State Board of Education. Administrative jobs like dean positions demanded advanced degrees and leadership experience. Nursing faculty needed BSN, MSN, and clinical licensure. These standards align with regional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission.
Entry-level staff roles, such as academic advisors, typically held bachelor's degrees, with master's preferred for advancement.
As a teaching-focused liberal arts college, research was secondary but valued for faculty promotion. Expertise in undergraduate pedagogy was key, with interests in interdisciplinary studies, community engagement, and regional issues like rural education or Midwestern history. Music faculty specialized in performance and theory; business professors in small business management. Publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations strengthened applications. For current research roles, see research jobs.
Preferred candidates had 3-5 years of college teaching, publications (2-5 peer-reviewed articles), and grant experience, though small grants were common. Coaching roles favored prior NCAA experience. Administrative positions valued 5+ years in higher ed, with successes in enrollment management or accreditation. Community college experience was a plus for adjuncts. Learn more via postdoctoral success tips.
Essential skills included strong communication, student mentoring, curriculum development, and technology integration (e.g., learning management systems like Canvas). Faculty needed adaptability for small classes (15-25 students) and service commitments like committee work. Soft skills: cultural sensitivity, teamwork, and innovation in teaching. Technical competencies varied: data analysis for business roles, lab skills for sciences.
Applications involved cover letters, CVs, teaching philosophy statements, and references. Submit via email or portal, with interviews including teaching demos. Tips:
For active jobs, use our free resume template and cover letter template.
MacMurray College supported diversity through the Multicultural Student Union, scholarships for underrepresented students, and faculty development on inclusive teaching. Events like Black History Month celebrated contributions. Affirmative action guided hiring, with goals for gender and ethnic balance. Though small, it partnered with local organizations for outreach. Post-closure, similar initiatives thrive at successor institutions.
Life at MacMurray offered excellent balance: low student-faculty ratio (14:1) meant manageable loads, with faculty contracts including sabbaticals. Campus featured Scottish heritage events, athletics, and proximity to nature for outdoor activities. Jacksonville provided affordable housing and community events, though limited urban amenities. Staff enjoyed flexible hours and professional development. Drawbacks included winters, but summers allowed research travel.
Campus life included chapel services, theater productions, and NCAA sports, fostering strong bonds.
Since 2020 closure, no jobs exist at MacMurray. Assets support programs at University of Illinois Springfield. Seek roles at community colleges like Lincoln Land or four-year schools in Springfield. For broader options, browse US university jobs, Illinois higher ed jobs, or Jacksonville jobs.
While MacMurray College no longer offers jobs, its model exemplifies rewarding careers in small-college higher ed. Professionals can find similar positions via higher ed jobs, leveraging career advice from higher ed career advice resources. Explore university jobs nationwide or post your profile to attract recruiters on recruitment pages.
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