Pictured (l to r): Dr. Kirk Young, JCC President Daniel DeMarte, and Rotary President Katie Geise
New JCC President Daniel DeMarte was introduced by club member, Dr. Kirk Young.
A graduate of Archbishop Walsh High School in Olean, DeMarte earned a doctorate in higher education administration with a specialization in community colleges at North Carolina State University. He earned a master’s degree in student personnel administration at Buffalo State College, a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University at Buffalo, and an associate’s degree at Alfred State College.
DeMarte served in the U.S. Air Force from 1985-1989. He began his college education at the Community College of the Air Force while serving on active duty.
Most recently, he served as executive vice president for academic and student affairs at Tidewater Community College, VA. DeMarte previously served as vice provost for student and learning development at Macomb Community College. He also served as vice president for learning at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, and began his career at Genesee Community College.
As part of his presentation, President DeMarte focused on sharing a portion of JCC’s upcoming strategic plan. Leadership is currently working on a three year strategic plan. There are 7 strategic directions. President DeMarte shared 4 of those with the club.
Programs – there will be a focus on looking at JCC’s academic and workforce programs. For most of JCC’s 68-year history, they have done well with transfer programs, etc. JCC must also focus on workforce readiness programs as well. To that end, JCC introduced the workforce readiness scholarship. The leadership team is also looking at potential programs in agri-business, clean energy, culinary/hospitality as well as manufacturing technology focused around robotics and automation.
Enrollment – JCC is in the 8th consecutive year of declining enrollment. It is a trend that many community colleges are currently experiencing. JCC does have a strong international and athletic-based enrollment. The plan is to increase international student enrollment from 30 to 100 international students in the next 3 years. Many international students want to stay and work in the United States. JCC also has a long history with strong athletics. As such, the plan is to update the athletic facilities and bring them into the 21st century. One of the focuses of an enrollment initiative will be to prepare for a more diverse student body. JCC also needs to excel at recruiting outside of the area because Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties are declining in population.
Modernize Operating Budget and Fundraising Strategy – JCC’s operating budget has been on “autopilot” since 1996. Conversations are underway to move towards a smarter model that will give JCC more stability within an era of declining enrollments. President DeMarte also stated that JCC plans to move forward on capital campaigns to update their physical plant. This will require a very aggressive fundraising strategy and commitment from the community.
Building Collaboration and Shared Goals – The last strategic direction President DeMarte share was the need to leverage assets with public and private agencies where JCC shares common goals. I.E. Chautauqua Institutions, Jamestown High School, SUNY Fredonia.
For more detailed information about JCC, please visit their web site at www.sunyjcc.edu.