St. Mary's University of Minnesota (SMU), a private Catholic Lasallian institution founded in 1912, offers a variety of rewarding career opportunities in higher education. Located in the scenic bluff country of Winona, Minnesota, along the Mississippi River, SMU serves around 5,000 students across its undergraduate campus in Winona and graduate programs in the Twin Cities. Jobs at St. Mary's University of Minnesota span faculty positions, administrative roles, and support staff, all rooted in the Lasallian tradition of faith, service, and community. Whether you're a seasoned professor seeking a tenure-track role or an administrator passionate about student success, SMU provides a supportive environment to make a meaningful impact.
The university emphasizes teaching excellence, scholarly engagement, and service, making it an ideal place for those committed to holistic education. With programs strong in teacher education, business, nursing, and theology, opportunities align with diverse academic interests. Current openings often include positions in the School of Education, which prepares future teachers, and the Graduate School of Business and Technology.
Established by the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Christian Brothers), St. Mary's University of Minnesota began as a seminary and liberal arts college. Over the past century, it has evolved into a comprehensive university while maintaining its Catholic identity and Lasallian charism, which prioritizes educating the whole person and serving the poor. This history shapes jobs at St. Mary's University of Minnesota, where employees contribute to a mission-driven culture that values integrity, respect, and global awareness.
The Winona campus, with its historic buildings and modern facilities, fosters a close-knit community. Faculty and staff collaborate across disciplines, often participating in service trips or campus ministry events. Understanding this background helps prospective applicants tailor their materials to highlight alignment with SMU's values.
Jobs at St. Mary's University of Minnesota include full-time faculty, adjunct instructors, department chairs, deans, and support roles in admissions, financial aid, and facilities. Faculty positions are often tenure-track, focusing on teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. For instance, recent openings have included assistant professors in biology, education, and social work.
Administrative jobs cover areas like student life, where professionals develop programs to enhance campus engagement, or enrollment management, involving recruitment strategies for a diverse student body. Staff positions in IT, human resources, and athletics support the university's operations. To learn more about university job types, including lecturer jobs and professor jobs, visit our dedicated resource.
Many positions emphasize interdisciplinary work, such as integrating faith and justice into curricula.
For academic jobs at St. Mary's University of Minnesota, a doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, or equivalent) in the relevant field is typically required for tenure-track positions. For example, education faculty need expertise in curriculum development or special education methodologies.
Research focus areas include applied scholarship in Lasallian pedagogy, environmental studies reflecting Minnesota's natural setting, and health professions research. Preferred experience encompasses peer-reviewed publications, securing external grants like those from the National Science Foundation, and prior teaching at the college level.
Essential skills and competencies include:
Administrative roles often require a master's degree plus 5+ years of higher ed experience, with competencies in strategic planning and data analysis.
To help navigate opportunities, here are definitions of common terms:
The application process begins by monitoring SMU's careers page and platforms like higher ed jobs listings on AcademicJobs.com. Submit a cover letter, CV, teaching philosophy statement, and three references. Interviews often include a teaching demonstration and meetings with search committees.
Actionable tips:
Processing can take 4-6 months, with starts in August or January.
St. Mary's University of Minnesota actively advances diversity through its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which coordinates training, affinity groups, and recruitment for underrepresented faculty. Examples include the Brother William Finnigan Multicultural Center, supporting students and staff from diverse backgrounds, and partnerships with Hmong and Latinx communities in Minnesota.
The university's strategic plan prioritizes inclusive excellence, with initiatives like bias training workshops and scholarships for first-generation students. Faculty jobs often require a DEI statement, reflecting SMU's commitment to a welcoming environment where differences strengthen the community.
SMU promotes work-life balance with a 4-4 teaching load for faculty (four courses per semester), generous sabbaticals after six years, and family-friendly policies like tuition remission for dependents. The Winona campus features trails for hiking, a wellness center, and events like the annual Lasallian Festival.
Employees enjoy a collaborative atmosphere, with professional development funds up to $2,000 annually and mental health resources. Proximity to Minneapolis (2 hours) offers urban access, while Winona's arts scene and outdoor recreation—boating on Lake Winona, biking the Root River Trail—enhance quality of life. Staff feedback highlights the supportive culture, low turnover, and sense of purpose in a mission-driven setting.
In summary, jobs at St. Mary's University of Minnesota combine professional growth with personal fulfillment in a picturesque Minnesota setting. Explore more higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, university jobs, or consider posting a job if recruiting. For faculty insights, check employer branding secrets or becoming a university lecturer. SMU awaits those ready to educate hearts and minds.
Additional resources: professor salaries, faculty jobs, administration jobs.
