As colleges confront challenging circumstances, the prospect of small, private college closures remains pertinent. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of displaced employees due to college closure. For this study, Schlossberg's (1981) transition theory was used as a foundational lens. Although there have been numerous studies on the impacts on displaced workers from various industries, there is a gap in research exploring the impacts on college faculty and staff. The study included interviews with employees who worked for colleges at the time of closure. A document analysis was conducted to corroborate and add texture to the findings. Understanding participants' experiences can influence best practices for future college closures. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]