SMC Jobs and Career Opportunities at St. Michael's College

🎓 Overview of Saint Michael's College

Saint Michael's College, located in Colchester, Vermont, along the shores of Lake Champlain, stands as a premier private Catholic liberal arts institution founded in 1904 by five Sisters of Mercy. This small college, with around 1,500 undergraduates, emphasizes a holistic education rooted in the Mercy tradition, fostering intellectual rigor, spiritual growth, and social responsibility. Nestled in the Green Mountains region, it offers a picturesque campus that blends academic excellence with community service and experiential learning.

Jobs at Saint Michael's College attract professionals passionate about undergraduate teaching, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The institution prioritizes faculty who integrate faith, reason, and service into their roles, creating a supportive environment for both students and employees. Whether you're eyeing faculty positions, administrative opportunities, or support staff roles, the college's commitment to personal development and community makes it a rewarding place to build a career in higher education.

The college's location in Colchester provides access to Burlington's vibrant cultural scene while offering a serene setting ideal for focused work and outdoor pursuits. With a student-faculty ratio of 12:1, employees engage deeply in shaping future leaders through small classes and innovative programs in fields like environmental science, business, education, and theology.

Types of Jobs Available at Saint Michael's College

Jobs at Saint Michael's College span faculty, administrative, and operational roles tailored to its liberal arts mission. Faculty positions dominate, including tenure-track professors, visiting lecturers, and adjunct instructors who deliver courses in over 30 majors. Common openings appear in growing areas such as nursing, computer science, and sustainability studies.

Administrative jobs include roles in student affairs, advancement, and enrollment management, while staff positions cover facilities, IT, and athletics support. Research assistant jobs occasionally arise, often tied to undergraduate projects in environmental or social justice research. For a deeper dive into university job types, including definitions of tenure-track versus non-tenure-track roles, visit our resource page.

• Tenure-track faculty: Permanent roles with promotion potential after rigorous review.
• Adjunct professors: Part-time teaching positions offering flexibility.
• Administrative staff: Supporting operations like career services or diversity programs.
• Research and lab roles: Hands-on support for faculty-led initiatives.

These opportunities reflect the college's emphasis on teaching excellence over heavy research demands, distinguishing it from larger research universities.

Key Terms and Definitions

To help navigate jobs at Saint Michael's College, here are essential terms defined clearly:

• Tenure-track position: A full-time faculty role leading to tenure (permanent employment) after 5-7 years of successful teaching, scholarship, and service evaluations.
• Adjunct faculty: Part-time instructors hired per course, often without benefits but with scheduling flexibility.
• Liberal arts education: A broad-based curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, communication, and interdisciplinary skills across humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
• Mercy tradition: The college's founding ethos from the Sisters of Mercy, focusing on compassion, justice, and community service.
• Sabbatical: Paid leave for faculty to pursue research or professional development, typically every 6-7 years.

Required Qualifications, Expertise, Experience, and Skills

Securing jobs at Saint Michael's College demands qualifications aligned with its teaching-focused, values-driven culture.

Required Academic Qualifications

Faculty roles typically require a PhD, EdD, or terminal degree (e.g., MFA for arts) in the relevant discipline. For lecturer jobs, a master's may suffice with substantial experience. Administrative positions often seek advanced degrees plus higher ed certifications.

Research Focus or Expertise Needed

Expertise should match college strengths: environmental studies (leveraging Vermont's natural resources), teacher education, theology, and business ethics. Interdisciplinary approaches, especially integrating sustainability or social justice, are prized.

Preferred Experience

Candidates shine with 3+ years of college teaching, peer-reviewed publications (even if modest), grant writing success, and service learning involvement. Experience mentoring diverse students or in Catholic higher ed is a plus.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent teaching and student advising abilities.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
• Proficiency in technology for hybrid learning.
• Adaptability to a small-college environment with multiple responsibilities.

These elements ensure hires contribute to the college's vibrant intellectual community.

📝 Application Process and Tips

The application process for jobs at Saint Michael's College begins with monitoring their careers page and platforms like higher ed jobs listings. Submit via Interfolio or the college portal: cover letter, CV, teaching statement, research agenda, and three references. Interviews often include teaching demos and campus visits.

Actionable tips:

• Customize your teaching philosophy to echo Mercy values and undergraduate focus.
• Highlight Vermont ties or outdoor interests for cultural fit.
• Prepare for questions on integrating faith and learning. Follow our guide to writing a winning academic CV.
• Network at conferences like those for liberal arts colleges.
• Follow up politely post-submission.

Processing takes 4-6 weeks; tenure-track searches run fall-spring.

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Saint Michael's College actively advances diversity through the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, which oversees inclusive hiring and bias training. The Knight Fund supports underrepresented faculty research, while affinity groups foster belonging for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC employees.

Specific examples include partnerships with Vermont's HBCUs for recruitment, mandatory DEI workshops, and the Inclusive Excellence Framework guiding all hires. In 2023, 25% of new faculty were from underrepresented groups, exceeding regional averages. These efforts create an equitable workplace aligned with Catholic social teaching.

Work-Life Balance and Campus Life

Campus life at Saint Michael's College enhances work-life balance with its 440-acre setting offering trails, skiing, and Lake Champlain activities. Employees access wellness centers, yoga classes, and counseling via an Employee Assistance Program.

Generous benefits include 4 weeks PTO, parental leave, tuition remission for dependents, and flexible work for staff. The family-friendly culture features on-campus childcare and summer hours. Community events like faculty-staff mixers and service trips build camaraderie. Burlington's farm-to-table scene and proximity to Montreal add leisure appeal, making Colchester ideal for balanced living.

Career Development at Saint Michael's College

Professional growth is robust: annual development funds ($2,000+), sabbaticals, and pre-tenure mentorship. Faculty pursue grants through the Research Corporation and present at conferences. Admin staff access leadership training. This support, paired with lecturer career paths, positions employees for advancement.

Why Pursue Jobs at Saint Michael's College?

In summary, jobs at Saint Michael's College offer meaningful impact in a supportive, scenic environment. Explore openings via university jobs, prepare with higher ed career advice, and consider posting your profile on higher ed jobs. For employers, learn about recruitment services. Ready to join? Check post a job for opportunities.