Sweet Briar College, often abbreviated as SBC, is a private women's liberal arts college located in the rural community of Sweet Briar, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1901 by Indiana Fletcher Williams, the institution spans a stunning 3,250-acre campus in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 12 miles north of Lynchburg. Known for its commitment to empowering women through education, SBC enrolls approximately 700 undergraduate students and maintains small class sizes for personalized learning. The college's riding program is world-renowned, making it a leader in equestrian studies within higher education.
Jobs at Sweet Briar College attract professionals passionate about liberal arts, women's leadership, and interdisciplinary teaching. Positions range from faculty in humanities and sciences to administrative roles in student services and equestrian management. The college's location offers a serene environment ideal for focused academic work, with easy access to urban amenities in nearby Lynchburg and Roanoke.
The story of Sweet Briar College began with the vision of Indiana Fletcher Williams, who willed her estate to establish a college for women after her daughter's untimely death. Opening its doors in 1901, SBC quickly gained reputation for rigorous academics and a supportive community. Key milestones include the development of the Sweet Briar Institute for Leadership in the 1990s and resilience during the 2015 'Save Women's Liberal Arts' campaign, which preserved its women's college status. Today, jobs at Sweet Briar College continue this legacy, offering roles that contribute to innovative programs like the Engineering + Design program launched in recent years.
Historically, employment at SBC has emphasized faculty who embody the Honor Code, fostering ethical teaching and mentorship. The college has evolved to include co-ed graduate programs while remaining dedicated to undergraduate women.
Sweet Briar College offers over 40 majors and minors in liberal arts disciplines. Strengths include English, biology, psychology, business, and equine studies. The STEM fields have grown with programs in engineering, computer science, and environmental science. Faculty jobs often involve teaching across disciplines, supporting the college's core curriculum in critical thinking and global awareness.
Learn more about types of positions available in these areas.
Career opportunities at SBC include tenure-track professor jobs, lecturer jobs, adjunct professor jobs, research assistant jobs, and higher ed admin roles. Faculty positions dominate, with openings in growing fields like data science and sustainability. Administrative jobs cover admissions, financial aid, and athletics, while staff roles support facilities and the equestrian center. Explore higher ed faculty jobs or administration jobs for specifics.
For those interested in research, postdoc opportunities arise in collaborative projects. The college also posts research jobs tied to undergraduate involvement.
To understand jobs at Sweet Briar College, key terms include:
📊 For faculty jobs at Sweet Briar College, a PhD in the relevant field is typically required for tenure-track positions, such as PhD in chemistry for science roles or PhD in history for humanities. Master's degrees suffice for lecturer jobs or arts programs. Administrative roles like dean of students may require an EdD or extensive experience. Equestrian faculty often hold advanced degrees in animal science or veterinary studies.
International candidates need US work authorization. The college values qualifications aligning with its liberal arts mission.
Sweet Briar emphasizes undergraduate research, so faculty jobs favor expertise in areas like environmental biology, given the campus's natural setting, or digital humanities. Equestrian roles require knowledge in equine health and management. Recent hires focus on interdisciplinary expertise, such as AI in social sciences or sustainable engineering. Publications in peer-reviewed journals strengthen applications.
Preferred experience for jobs at SBC includes 3-5 years of college teaching, especially at women's colleges or small liberal arts institutions. Grant writing success, like NSF funding, is valued. Mentoring diverse students and publications (e.g., 5+ articles) are common. For admin, experience in enrollment management or Title IX compliance is key. Equestrian staff prefer IHSA coaching background.
Read how to write a winning academic CV for tips.
Essential skills for Sweet Briar College jobs include excellent teaching pedagogy, curriculum development, and student advising. Competencies encompass cultural humility, collaborative leadership, and tech proficiency for online tools. Soft skills like empathy and resilience support the close-knit community. Quantitative roles demand data analysis skills.
The application process starts with monitoring SBC's careers page and platforms like higher ed jobs listings on AcademicJobs.com. Submit via Interfolio: cover letter addressing fit with women's education, CV, teaching philosophy (2 pages), diversity statement, and 3 references. Interviews involve teaching demos.
Utilize our higher ed career advice for more. For lecturer roles, see become a university lecturer.
🌟 Sweet Briar College advances diversity through the Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement, offering affinity groups for BIPOC faculty and LGBTQ+ support. The 2020 Strategic Plan prioritizes hiring underrepresented scholars in STEM. Initiatives include bias training, mentorship for women of color, and partnerships with HBCUs. Recent examples: increased Latinx faculty in languages and first-generation scholars in business.
🏡 Campus life at Sweet Briar blends professional fulfillment with personal well-being. Faculty enjoy a 10-12 hour teaching load per semester, research support, and sabbaticals. Work-life balance features flexible schedules, parental leave, and EAP wellness programs. The campus boasts trails for hiking, a lake for kayaking, and the riding center for therapy sessions. Community events like faculty dinners and lectures foster belonging. Proximity to Virginia's wine country and DC (3 hours) aids recreation. Salaries competitive for region: assistant professors around $70K-$85K.
In summary, jobs at Sweet Briar College offer a unique chance to shape women's futures in a supportive, scenic environment. Whether seeking professor jobs, research assistant jobs, or admin roles, SBC provides growth opportunities. Visit higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, university jobs, or post a job to connect with opportunities. For broader insights, explore professor salaries or university rankings.
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