Hamilton College - New York Careers, Benefits, Review

At Hamilton, we embrace diversity, commit to work against systemic racism and bigotry, and support a community where all individuals, without exception, feel valued, empowered, and treated fairly.

Our mission to prepare students for lives of meaning, purpose, and active citizenship is inextricably tied to our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Serious intellectual inquiry and informed engagement with our ever-changing world depend on open dialogue among people with differing perspectives and values, and from different backgrounds.

The work of achieving an inclusive, equitable community is of paramount importance. Hamilton is continually striving to make further progress through positive action, change, and growth.

See what steps we’ve taken. 

Hamilton College prepares students for lives of meaning, purpose, and active citizenship. Guided by the motto “Know Thyself,” the College emphasizes intellectual growth, flexibility, and collaboration in a residential academic community. Hamilton students learn to think independently, embrace difference, write and speak persuasively, and engage issues ethically and creatively. One of America’s first liberal arts colleges, Hamilton enables its students to effect positive change in the world. Our faculty and staff members devotedly embrace this mission of serving students and are an integral part of what makes the Hamilton student experience so meaningful.

What is Hamilton College known for?

A place where students can explore passions, expand perspectives, express themselves, and expect opportunity.

An open curriculum. Hamilton is one of the few colleges and universities that gives students the freedom to choose courses that reflect their interests.

Producing effective and persuasive communicators. Hamilton’s curriculum places special emphasis on honing strong writing and other communication skills.

Being a ‘school of opportunity.’ Hamilton is one of only a few dozen colleges that meets the full demonstrated need of every student it accepts and admits the most qualified students regardless of their need. Ensuring that all students have equal access to all that the College offers is Hamilton’s most enduring value.

We offer a benefits program as part of a total compensation package that includes a wide range of competitive benefit plans to accommodate your personal needs. The College's medical, dental, vision, life, Long Term Disability and Travel Accident Insurances to make the premiums more affordable for employees. 

The College recognizes same or opposite sex domestic partners as spousal equivalents for purposes of benefit administration, to the extent permitted by law. In addition, any children of qualified domestic partners will be eligible for benefits on the same basis as children of married spouses.

Some jobs lend themselves to hybrid or remote work as specified in the job description. 

For more information, check out Hamilton's Benefits Guidebook.

Employee Perks

In addition to offering our benefits program, Hamilton employees, and also their dependents in many cases, enjoy a wide range of other benefits and perks, including:

• Tuition benefits for employees, their spouse/partner, and dependent children
• Free access to fitness facilities, outdoor activities gear, fitness classes, and a wellness program
• Free admittance to most on-campus events including athletics events, concerts, plays, musicals, performances, and speakers
• Free access to one of the finest small college libraries in the nation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and families to access confidential professional, comprehensive, and personalized services to address personal challenges such as marital, financial, stress and anxiety, balancing work and home, concerns with addiction, and other hardships
• Free access to nutritionists, retirement specialists, and legal counsel
• Free on-campus parking
• Three coffee shops, two dining halls, and a mail center that serves USPS, FedEx, and UPS, all conveniently located on campus
• A Family Relocation Support Team and partnership with a community agency to answer your important questions if you are moving to the area
• Service recognition and achievement awards  
• The opportunity to work with a wide variety of friendly colleagues

People

Hamilton’s 2,000 students hail from 47 states, 51 countries, and 1,150 high schools; the student body consists of 27% U.S. students of color and 7% international citizens.

The College employs 918 full-time, part-time, and temporary employees, including 616 staff and 302 faculty members. Approximately 96% of full-time faculty have a doctorate or other terminal degree. 

History and Location

Hamilton College is one of the oldest colleges in New York State. The College was founded in 1793 by Samuel Kirkland, missionary to the Oneida Indians; it was chartered as Hamilton College in 1812 in honor of inaugural trustee Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

Hamilton is a residential community, which means 100% of students live on the 1,350-acre campus situated on a hilltop overlooking the safe and picturesque village of Clinton, New York (pop. 2,000), located in the foothills of the Adirondack mountains. The village includes eateries, coffee spots, shopping, and more.  

The College is eight miles southwest of Utica (pop. 65,000), home to 900 acres of city parks, the internationally recognized Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, and the century-old Utica Zoo. Described as “a city of diversity,” Utica’s population includes more than 40 nationalities that bring extensive authentic cultural cuisine options and celebrations to the region, in addition to the famous Chicken Riggies, Utica Greens, and half-moon cookies.

Hamilton is located 45 minutes east of Syracuse, one hour from the Adirondack park to the northeast, 90 minutes west of Albany, three hours from Niagara Falls, and four hours from Boston or New York City. Local and regional transportation options include:

• A local bus service (Centro) with a stop on campus, and a Greyhound bus station in Utica
• An Amtrak train station in Utica 
• Syracuse-Hancock International Airport (SYR), less than an hour away

Learn more about the region.

Sustainability

As leaders in education and environmental stewardship, students, faculty, and staff at Hamilton are committed to protecting and sustaining the environment through institutional processes, management of facilities, and curriculum. In 2022, Hamilton announced its goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2030, 20 years earlier than its initial target of 2050. The College plans to invest in energy upgrades to campus buildings, manage parts of campus to increase carbon sequestration in its lands, and continue to study and implement additional opportunities for emission reductions. 

When Hamilton hires new employees, it invests in those positions by ensuring the professionals in the roles have the resources they need to do their job well.  

Employees are supported with professional development and growth opportunities, both on and off campus, such as one or two-day Hamilton community seminars designed to develop basic personal, professional, managerial, supervisory, and technical skills.

Faculty Support and Development

Hamilton supports faculty in their pedagogical, scholarly, creative, and leadership development. The Dean of Faculty Office provides a number of activities and resources, as well as awards, fellowships, and grants, for faculty members as they build productive and successful careers in higher education. A formal one-on-one mentoring program is offered for tenure-track faculty. 

Read more about our Faculty Support Resources

Staff Assembly

Hamilton’s Staff Assembly promotes, strengthens, and facilitates a sense of community and mutual respect among College staff. All staff are invited to come together once a month during the academic year to introduce new colleagues, hear about campus happenings, and connect with one another. 

Staff Assembly council members also coordinate and sponsor a range of activities and events for staff across campus. Recently this has included fun sports leagues and community-wide lunches during the summer months. 

At Hamilton, everyone can take advantage of many wellness resources designed to build a strong foundation of wellbeing. The College’s Wellness Program provides information, educational opportunities, and a wide range of activities designed to promote personal health and fitness. The program operates year round and is open to employees and their families.