Details
Posted: 08-Oct-25
Location: Palatine, Illinois
Type: Full-time
The Psychology Department at Harper College is actively seeking a student-centered diverse pool of candidates to fill a full-time faculty position. Successful candidates will assume responsibilities that encompass a broad spectrum of courses, encompassing, but not restricted to Introduction to Psychology, Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, Adult Psychology, Theories of Personality, Research in Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
The Psychology program provides theory and training in the skills essential to equipping students to transfer to a four-year institution and be successful.
Harper College was established by referendum in 1965 and opened its doors in September 1967. Named after Dr. William Rainey Harper, a pioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and the first president of the University of Chicago, the College carries forward this legacy of innovation in education.
Today, Harper College stands as one of the nation's premier community colleges and one of the largest, serving approximately 29,000 students annually in Chicago's northwest suburbs. Our academic programs are designed to prepare students for rewarding careers and seamless transfer to four-year universities. Harper offers a wide range of associate degree and certification programs, advanced career tracks, workforce training, professional development opportunities, continuing education classes, accelerated degree options for adults, and developmental education programs.
At Harper College, we are committed to facilitating active learning and fostering the knowledge, critical thinking, and life/work skills necessary for participation in our global society. We collaborate with our community partners to enrich the intellectual, cultural, and economic fabric of our district. We believe that excellence in education must thrive within an ethical environment of integrity and respect. We recognize that the strength of our society is rooted in diversity, and it is through synergy that we achieve excellence. Our core values--Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence--guide everything we do.
Harper College was a semifinalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's most prestigious recognition for community colleges that are attaining high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Latine students and those from lower-income backgrounds.
Harper's campus community reflects the diversity of Chicago's northwest suburbs, as the college serves a large population of first generation, multilingual, and neurodivergent students.
Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPISI)
In 2023, Harper College was designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPISI)
This designation provides federal funding to enhance educational programs and support services for Latine and underrepresented students.
Latine students make up about 30% of Harper's enrollment, reflecting the College's pride in its HSI status.
Equity and Diversity Award
- Harper College received the 2023 Equity and Diversity Award from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA).
- The award honors leadership in promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity for underrepresented groups.
- Harper previously won this award in 2017
Schedule Information: The successful candidate is expected to teach 30 contact hours each year in the Psychology Department. In addition to teaching 30 contact hours per academic year, a full-time faculty member serves on departmental, divisional and institutional committees; holds six office hours per week (some of which must be on campus); and pursues professional development opportunities related to discipline and pedagogy. Evening and weekend instruction may be required. Instruction may take place in face to face, online, blended and flex formats.
Weeks per fiscal year: Faculty are covered under a 9-month contract period (August thru May) - We seek a full-time colleague to begin Fall 2026.
Benefits: Health, Dental, Life & Disability Insurance; Sick and Holiday pay; Personal Business; Educational Assistance: Tuition Waivers at Harper & Professional Expense
Position Description and Duties:
The Psychology Department at Harper College is actively seeking a student-centered diverse pool of candidates to fill a full-time faculty position. Successful candidates will assume responsibilities that encompass a broad spectrum of courses, encompassing, but not restricted to Introduction to Psychology, Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, Adult Psychology, Theories of Personality, Research in Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
The Psychology program provides theory and training in the skills essential to equipping students to transfer to a four-year institution and be successful.
Harper College provides excellent facilities to students and faculty in the Psychology program including computer labs and a social science lab that is part of the new building under construction.
The successful candidate will be able to teach a wide variety of introductory courses to students of diverse backgrounds and varying levels of college readiness using traditional and alternative delivery methods. We encourage interested candidates to familiarize themselves with our course offerings. This position teaches a standard load of fifteen (15) contact hours per semester (30 contact hours per academic year) consisting chiefly of Introduction to Psychology and courses in the developmental sequence such as Child Psychology and Adolescent Psychology. This may include reassigned time to be given for chair/coordinator duties. Classes may be offered in day, evening, and/or online modalities and may also have the opportunity to teach in the Honors Program, Social Justice Studies Program and "linked" courses (through the college's Learning Communities Program).
Educational Requirements: A Master's degree in Psychology or Master's degree in a related field with at least 18 graduate hours in Psychology.
Experience Requirements: The following are preferred knowledge, skills, and experiences for a successful candidate:
Two years of college-level teaching experience is required with two years of community college teaching experience strongly preferred.
Application Review Date: Applications are accepted until the position is filled though priority will be given to applications received on or before December 1, 2025.
*You will not be able to complete the application without attaching the following documents:
CV/Resume (Does not substitute for completed application)
Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts from Regionally accredited institutions
A one-page single-spaced statement of your teaching philosophy. In your teaching philosophy, please include how you approach classroom management, how you assess students, and how you use instructional technology.
*Official transcripts required upon hire.
*Employment is contingent upon a Criminal Background Check
*Employment Sponsorship is not available
