Ask a Recruiter: Amanda Duval-Norwood, Harper College

Learn how to start or grow your career in higher education with insights from professionals, career coaches, and HR experts. The newly launched Let’s Talk Higher Ed Careers podcast, produced by HERC Jobs, explores a variety of campus roles beyond teaching, career growth strategies, and tips for navigating the higher ed job market. Whether you’re new to the field or ready to move up, each episode shares real stories and practical steps to help you align your goals, discover opportunities, and succeed in a fulfilling higher ed career. New episodes drop every two weeks on our YouTube Channel.

In this “Ask a Recruiter” episode of Let’s Talk Higher Ed Careers, host Jessica Wise welcomes Amanda Duval-Norwood, Chief Human Resources Officer at Harper College, to explore what it really means to build a career at a community college.

With more than 20 years of HR leadership experience across higher education, healthcare, and senior living, Amanda shares how community colleges offer far more than teaching roles—from HR, IT, advising, and student affairs to workforce development, institutional research, and community partnerships. She also offers practical advice for job seekers navigating higher ed hiring, including why patience matters, how to stand out in the application process, and the importance of showing a genuine connection to student success and institutional mission.

Watch this “Ask a Recruiter” episode on YouTube and tell us what resonated most in the comments. While you’re there, subscribe to our video podcast series so you never miss a conversation.