Working at SDCC, your next career step!

📖 Overview of San Diego Christian College

San Diego Christian College (SDCC), located in Santee, California, was a private Christian liberal arts institution dedicated to providing undergraduate education grounded in biblical principles. Founded in 1970, SDCC served students seeking degrees in fields like business, education, ministry, music, psychology, and kinesiology. The college emphasized character development, spiritual growth, and academic excellence within a faith-based community. Although SDCC ceased operations in May 2023 due to financial difficulties, understanding its structure offers valuable insights for those interested in similar roles at Christian higher education institutions across the United States.

Jobs at San Diego Christian College typically revolved around supporting its mission to equip students for service in church and society. Positions ranged from full-time faculty to administrative staff, athletic coaches, and support personnel. The small campus size—enrolling about 500 students at its peak—meant roles often required versatility, with employees contributing to multiple areas like teaching, mentoring, and campus ministry.

🏛️ History and Mission Impact on Careers

San Diego Christian College began as Christian Heritage College in 1970, established by the Institute in Basic Life Principles under Bill Gothard. It transitioned to SDCC in 1983 and gained accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) in 1995. Over 50 years, it grew into a hub for evangelical education near San Diego, fostering a tight-knit community amid Southern California's vibrant landscape.

The mission—to develop students' minds, bodies, and souls in Christ—influenced job expectations profoundly. Employees were expected to model Christian values, participate in chapel services, and integrate faith into their work. This created a unique work environment where professional duties intertwined with spiritual leadership, appealing to candidates passionate about ministry-integrated careers.

Financial challenges, including declining enrollment from 700 in 2016 to under 500 by 2022, led to the closure announcement in October 2022. Assets were sold, and students transferred to other schools like Point Loma Nazarene University. Former staff found opportunities at comparable institutions, highlighting transferable skills in faith-based education.

🎓 Types of Jobs at San Diego Christian College

Careers at SDCC mirrored those at small liberal arts colleges, with a strong emphasis on teaching and community service. Common roles included:

• Full-time professors in departments like Biblical Studies, Teacher Education, and Kinesiology & Health Science.
• Adjunct instructors for part-time courses, often requiring a master's degree.
• Administrative positions such as Registrar, Admissions Director, and Student Services Coordinator.
• Athletics staff, given SDCC's membership in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), with teams in basketball, soccer, and volleyball.
• Support roles in facilities, library, and financial aid.

For more on university job types, including tenure-track versus non-tenure positions, explore detailed breakdowns. Salaries aligned with regional Christian college averages, around $50,000-$70,000 for faculty, per data from similar institutions.

📚 Definitions

To understand jobs at San Diego Christian College fully, key terms include:

• Tenure-track position: A faculty role leading to permanent employment after probationary years, involving teaching, research, and service.
• Adjunct professor: Part-time instructor hired per course, without benefits or job security.
• TRACS accreditation: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, ensuring faith-aligned educational standards.
• Biblical worldview integration: Incorporating Scripture into curriculum and campus life.
• NCCAA: National Christian College Athletic Association, governing intercollegiate sports at Christian schools.

✅ Required Academic Qualifications, Research Focus, Preferred Experience, Skills, and Competencies

Jobs at San Diego Christian College demanded alignment with its Christian mission alongside professional credentials.

Required Academic Qualifications: Faculty positions typically required a master's degree minimum; PhD preferred for core roles in education or psychology. Staff roles needed bachelor's degrees, with advanced certifications for specialized positions like counseling.

Research Focus or Expertise Needed: Emphasis was on applied research integrating faith, such as studies on Christian leadership or biblical counseling. Traditional grant-funded research was minimal due to size; expertise in student development and ministry was prioritized.

Preferred Experience: Publications in Christian journals, prior teaching at Bible colleges, grants from faith-based foundations, or coaching experience. Five-plus years in higher ed or ministry strengthened applications.

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent teaching and mentoring abilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills for community building.
• Administrative proficiency using tools like Banner or Blackboard.
• Commitment to evangelical doctrine, often verified via doctrinal statement.
• Adaptability in a resource-limited environment.

These ensured candidates could thrive in SDCC's holistic setting.

📋 Application Process and Tips

The application process for SDCC jobs was straightforward but faith-centered. Candidates submitted via the online portal:

1. Resume highlighting relevant experience and education.
2. Cover letter tying skills to the mission.
3. Statement of Christian faith (1-2 pages).
4. Three references, including pastoral.
5. Transcripts and optional portfolio.

Actionable Tips:

• Research SDCC's doctrinal statement and reference it specifically.
• Quantify achievements, e.g., 'Mentored 50 students annually.' Use a free resume template for structure.
• Prepare for interviews including Bible knowledge and teaching demos.
• Network via Christian academic conferences or NCCAA events.
• Follow up with a thank-you email affirming faith alignment.

Tailoring applications boosted success rates in competitive faith-based hiring.

🌈 Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

SDCC championed diversity within its Christian framework, recruiting from varied ethnic backgrounds while upholding evangelical beliefs. Initiatives included:

• Multi-cultural student groups and chapel speakers from global ministries.
• Scholarships for underrepresented minorities committed to Christian service.
• Training on cultural sensitivity integrated with biblical unity (Galatians 3:28).
• Partnerships with urban churches in San Diego for outreach.

About 40% of students were from ethnic minorities, fostering an inclusive environment valuing diverse perspectives under Christ-centered unity.

⚖️ Work-Life Balance and Campus Life

SDCC's 38-acre campus in Santee offered a serene setting near San Diego's beaches and mountains, promoting balance. Features included:

Daily chapel services for spiritual refreshment, athletic facilities for wellness, and family-friendly events like homecoming. Faculty enjoyed flexible schedules blending teaching with research, though small size meant occasional extra duties. Community potlucks and mission trips built strong bonds, reducing isolation common in larger universities. Post-closure, alumni recall the supportive culture aiding long tenures despite modest pay.

Campus life revolved around dorm life, NCAA Division II sports (pre-closure), and service projects, enriching personal and professional growth.

🔗 Explore More Higher Education Careers

While SDCC no longer offers jobs, opportunities abound in higher ed jobs, including university jobs at faith-based schools. Get higher ed career advice and consider post a job if recruiting. For faculty paths, visit faculty jobs; adjunct seekers, adjunct professor jobs. Check research jobs or administration jobs nationwide.