Ron Shidemantle has been named vice president of Student Experience at SUNY Jamestown Community College. He began his new role in early January.
In his new position, Shidemantle oversees JCC’s recruitment and retention efforts, leading the college’s offices of Admissions, Marketing and Communications, Academic Advising, Success Center, Health Center, Career Services, Residence and Campus Life, and Athletics.
A seasoned higher education administrator, Shidemantle comes to JCC from Bluefield State University in West Virginia, where he spent the past five years as vice president of student affairs and dean of students. During Shidemantle’s time at Bluefield State, the university reached record high enrollment increases.
“Ron brings three decades of thoughtful, student‑centered leadership to JCC,” said JCC president Daniel DeMarte. “His background spans residence life, enrollment management, student conduct and Title IX compliance, student programming, and so much more — across institutions large and small, public and private. His commitment to the success of students at Bluefield State was evident in every facet of his work.”
Shidemantle is in the midst of his 30th year working in higher education administration. Since 2009, Shidemantle has held director-level roles at both public and private institutions of higher learning, including Duquesne University, Virginia Tech, and Western Carolina University.
Before moving to Bluefield State, Shidemantle was dean of students at Northern Oklahoma College, SUNY Jefferson Community College, and Louisburg College.
Shidemantle said his three years working at SUNY Jefferson made the JCC position especially appealing.
“I love the mission of community colleges, especially in New York,” Shidemantle said. “I have an appreciation for and value the SUNY system. I’m excited to be a part of this community.”
A native of Butler County, Pennsylvania, north of Pittsburgh, Shidemantle earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Slippery Rock University.
He said the move to JCC also brings him closer to family. “This position allows me to be closer to home and spend more time helping care for my aging parents,” Shidemantle said.
Shidemantle’s first exposure to higher education administration came as an undergraduate at Slippery Rock, where he served as a resident assistant. He was mentored by the college’s dean of students and student activities director, who encouraged him to pursue a master’s degree.
“They saw something in me that they thought would be good in education administration,” Shidemantle said. “I always wanted to be in the college environment, working and supporting college students, and provide programs that encourage their leadership development.”
Shidemantle began his professional career as a live-in resident director at a Penn State branch campus and at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He later became an assistant director of residence life at Duquesne University and director of residence life at Robert Morris University.
While at SUNY Jefferson, his responsibilities grew in multiple areas of student affairs supporting students outside of the classroom.
“We are fortunate to welcome someone with Ron’s depth of experience, steady leadership, and genuine passion for supporting students,” DeMarte said. “I am truly excited to have him on the Jayhawk team and look forward to the many ways his insight and energy will strengthen our mission.”