Daniel DeMarte

The State University of New York board of trustees has approved the appointment of Daniel DeMarte as the next president of Jamestown Community College.

The appointment follows a recommendation by JCC’s board of trustees on May 22 to appoint DeMarte as president.

DeMarte succeeds Cory Duckworth, who retired from the presidency in May.

“As someone who is well versed in the needs of community colleges, Dr. DeMarte can continue to lead Jamestown Community College to higher levels of academic excellence,” said SUNY Chairman H. Carl McCall. “He has a keen sense of how we may diversify how we teach the next generation of students. I look forward to working with him, and am pleased to welcome him back to the SUNY family.”

“Dr. DeMarte is well-qualified to assume the role of Jamestown Community College’s president given his vast experience in academic policy and strategic initiatives, as well as his focus in working with faculty and staff to develop open educational resource tools,” said SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. “Dr. DeMarte has a clear understanding of the college’s values, mission and strengths. On behalf of SUNY System I congratulate Dr. DeMarte on his appointment.”

In a brief statement to the SUNY Board of Trustees, DeMarte said, “Jamestown Community College has a longstanding history of building partnerships designed to meet the educational enrichment and economic development needs in Western New York. I look forward to serving as the next president of JCC — the highest honor of my career — in building on that rich history with the JCC faculty, staff, students, and trustees, along with the Chancellor and her leadership team”

Dr. DeMarte is currently the executive vice president for academic and student affairs at Tidewater Community College in Virginia. Dr. DeMarte is responsible for policy and strategic initiatives affecting academic programs, enrollment, and student success. His portfolio includes the Apprenticeship Institute, faculty professional development, intercultural learning, learning technologies, and the libraries. He is also responsible for the TCC Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center, the Center for Military and Veterans Education and the NSF-funded Southeast Maritime and Transportation Center.

He is a leader in open educational resources (OER) and helped to create the first textbook-free degree, called the Z degree, to help lower student costs. In 2016, he served as a Fellow at the Center for Open Leadership in Cape Town, South Africa where he helped to create an OER policy development tool.

Dr. 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, one of SUNY’s 30 community colleges.

A graduate of Archbishop Walsh High School in Olean, DeMarte earned his doctorate in higher education administration with a specialization in community colleges from North Carolina State University. He received his master’s in student personnel administration from Buffalo State College, his bachelor of arts in political science from University at Buffalo, as well as an associate’s degree at Alfred State College.

DeMarte is a veteran, having 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. His appointment is effective July 30.