Ron K. Patterson, Ed.D.
President of Chadron State College

Dr. Ron K. Patterson was appointed the 12th president of Chadron State College by the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees on April 7, 2023. Patterson came to Chadron State College from the University of North Alabama in Florence. His six-year administrative progression at the University of North Alabama included service as associate vice president for enrollment management, chief enrollment officer, and chief enrollment officer and special assistant to the president for diversity and inclusion with responsibility for both enrollment management, academic programs and centers, and diversity and inclusion. Patterson oversaw the development and implementation of a five-year strategic diversity and inclusion plan, development of a diversity course in the general education curriculum cross-listed across two departments, student success and retention, fundraising, university strategic planning, and collaboration with campus stakeholders and legislators on major new construction and renovation projects.

Prior to joining the University of North Alabama, Patterson served for 14 years as an administrator at Marietta College in Ohio, University of Central Arkansas, and University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Christian Brothers University in Memphis. He also spent four years as an assistant men’s basketball coach and head men’s golf coach at Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tennessee, and Marietta College. Thanks to his 25 years of higher education experience, Patterson has developed a collaborative-servant leader approach who values accessibility and affordability, education, and innovation.

Patterson is a visionary, scholar-practitioner and possesses a wealth of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion, enrollment management, program and course development, student, faculty and staff development, strategic planning, assessment, and accreditation. An interdisciplinary leader by training, his research focuses on continuous improvement in higher education. Patterson’s commitment as a servant leader takes many forms. He has traveled extensively to foster positive relationships between institutions. He has collaborated with governmental agencies in such countries as The People’s Republic of China and Democratic Republic of the Congo to enroll students. At the local and regional level, he often volunteers at community-related functions and speaks frequently to civic groups, professional associations, and community agencies and organizations.

Patterson earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration and Leadership at Creighton University, an Education Specialist degree with a concentration in Community College Administration at Arkansas State University, a Master of Arts at Marietta College, a Bachelor of Science at the University of Tennessee – Southern, and Associate of Arts at Northeast Mississippi Community College. He recently completed professional development offered by American Academic Leadership Institute and Penn State University’s Academic Leadership Academy for Academic Administration.

Patterson and his wife, Jenny, have two children, Olivia, and Braylon.