St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights (SFC), a private Catholic liberal arts college in New York, has long been a cornerstone of higher education in Brooklyn. Founded in 1884 by the Franciscan Friars, it holds the distinction of being the first Catholic college in the borough. Nestled in the historic Brooklyn Heights neighborhood, SFC offers a close-knit community with a student body of about 2,400 undergraduates. The college emphasizes a Franciscan tradition of service, academic excellence, and personal development, fostering an environment where faculty and staff play pivotal roles in shaping future leaders.
Jobs at St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, typically span faculty, administrative, and support positions within its schools of business, arts and humanities, sciences, and health professions. With small class sizes and a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, roles here demand dedication to teaching and mentoring. However, note that in March 2024, SFC announced it would cease operations at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year due to insurmountable financial challenges after 140 years. This impacts new job availability, shifting focus to transition roles or legacy positions.
The history of St. Francis College dates back to 1884 when Franciscan brothers established St. Francis College to provide accessible education rooted in Catholic values. Over the decades, it evolved from a men's commuter college to a coeducational institution in 1970, expanding programs in response to New York's diverse needs. Key milestones include its Division I athletics program as the NEC Terriers and recognition for high graduation rates among similar institutions.
This rich legacy influences jobs at SFC by prioritizing candidates aligned with its mission of community service and ethical leadership. Faculty often engage in Brooklyn-specific initiatives, like partnerships with local businesses for internships in finance and health sciences.
Career opportunities at St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, before its closure included tenure-track faculty, adjunct instructors, department chairs, and administrative roles in admissions, advancement, and athletics. Faculty positions focused on undergraduate teaching in majors like accounting, computer science, nursing, and psychology. Administrative jobs supported student success through advising and career services.
For a deeper dive into university job types, such as lecturer or research assistant roles, visit our comprehensive guide. SFC's emphasis on practical skills meant jobs often involved interdisciplinary work, like business professors collaborating on data analytics projects with computer science colleagues.
Jobs at St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, required strong academic credentials. For faculty roles, a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or equivalent terminal degree in the relevant field was essential, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice for health positions. Research focus centered on applied undergraduate projects, like environmental studies on Brooklyn urban ecology or business research on NYC markets.
Preferred experience included peer-reviewed publications, grant funding from sources like the National Science Foundation, and prior teaching at liberal arts colleges. Skills and competencies encompassed excellent communication, curriculum development, student advising, and proficiency in tools like data analytics software for business roles or lab techniques for sciences. Soft skills like cultural sensitivity were vital given SFC's diverse student body, 40% identifying as students of color.
The application process for jobs at SFC involved submitting a cover letter, curriculum vitae (CV), teaching philosophy statement, and three references via the college's online portal or HR department. Interviews included teaching demonstrations and meetings with department chairs.
Actionable tips: Customize your CV to highlight Franciscan-aligned service, like volunteer work. Use our free cover letter template to emphasize NYC experience. Network via conferences or LinkedIn with SFC alumni. Prepare for questions on adapting to small-college dynamics. Follow up promptly, and review how to write a winning academic CV for edge.
St. Francis College championed diversity through the Office of Multicultural Affairs, hosting events like Heritage Months celebrations and affinity groups for Latinx, Black, and LGBTQ+ students. Hiring practices included bias training for search committees and goals for underrepresented faculty hires. Examples: Partnerships with Brooklyn's minority-serving organizations and scholarships for diverse students, extending to staff development programs promoting equity. This created an inclusive environment where jobs emphasized cultural competency.
Work-life balance at SFC featured flexible scheduling for faculty, summer research leaves, and family-friendly policies like tuition remission for dependents. Campus life in Brooklyn Heights blended urban energy with historic charm—think waterfront views, proximity to Manhattan via subway, and events like basketball games at Pope Physical Education Center. Employees enjoyed wellness programs, professional development via higher ed career advice, and community service days. Though closure ends this, past roles offered fulfilling mentorship in a supportive setting with low burnout rates due to collaborative culture.
Daily life included faculty lounges for collegial chats, student clubs for engagement, and NYC cultural access, balancing rigorous academics with personal growth.
Even as SFC transitions, its model exemplifies rewarding careers in higher ed. Explore similar opportunities in higher ed jobs, university jobs, or higher ed career advice. For lecturer paths, see become a university lecturer. Institutions post openings on AcademicJobs.com—post a job if recruiting.
SFC's story underscores resilience; professionals honed skills here now thrive elsewhere. Check research jobs or professor jobs for next steps.
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