About us:

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.

Aspen Prize

• For the second consecutive time, Harper College is 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.
• Twenty colleges are vying for the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program's 2025 Prize. Harper was also one of the 25 semifinalists for the 2023 prize.

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 Economics 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 in economics. 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 through May) - We seek a full-time colleague to begin in Fall 2025.

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 Economics Department at Harper College is actively seeking a student-centered diverse pool of candidates to fill a full-time faculty position specializing in the field of economics The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching a variety of economics courses, including Introduction to Economics, Consumer Economics, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics.

The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching a variety of economics courses, including Introduction to Economics, Consumer Economics, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics. The Economics program equips students with essential theoretical and analytical skills to understand complex economic systems. Students explore how markets and governance structures shape production, distribution, and consumption, while examining resource growth. They learn to analyze agent behavior, market dynamics, industry structures, and government policies. The program emphasizes integrating theoretical knowledge with quantitative and qualitative evidence, preparing students to critically engage with real-world economic challenges and make informed decisions in diverse professional contexts.

Harper College provides excellent facilities to students and faculty in the Economics program. The college has the following labs and facilities as part of the learning environment. Our campus features modern classrooms with smart boards, high-speed internet, and audiovisual tools, along with advanced digital resources and tech support for faculty to enhance the educational experience.

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) credit hours per semester (30 credits per academic year) consisting chiefly of Introduction to Economics, Consumer Economics, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics courses. 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).

Candidates should possess a general expertise in each of the major fields of Economics, with an emphasis on Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. Expertise in Financial and Public Economics are welcome.

Educational Requirements:

• Master's degree in Economics (minimum requirement)

Experience Requirements: The following are preferred knowledge, skills, and experiences for a successful candidate:

• Minimum three years of experience in the financial services industry preferred.
• Minimum of two years of teaching experience in economics at the community college level preferred.

Application Review Date: Applications are accepted until the position is filled though priority will be given to applications received on or before November 14, 2024.

Special Notes:

*You will not be able to complete the application without attaching the following documents:

• Cover letter
• 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

Harper College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create an inclusive learning and working environment where individual differences and identities are respected, valued and embraced. We encourage women, people from historically underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.

The pay rates are aligned with the terms outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

https://www.harpercollege.edu/about/directory/hr/index.php