Patterson Accepts Presidency at Chadron State College

Apr. 18, 2023

Michelle R. Eubanks , UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256.765.4392

FLORENCE, AL – Dr. Ron Patterson, the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of North Alabama, has accepted the role of President of Chadron State College, a public college in Chadron, Neb., that is one of three colleges in the Nebraska State College System. He will begin his tenure at Chadron State on July 1. 

“I have enjoyed my seven-year tenure at North Alabama very much,” Patterson said. “It has been a pleasure to be part of President Kitts’ Executive Council and to have been part of the University’s enrollment growth by 11 percent during my time as the Chief Enrollment Officer as well as the development and implementation of the University’s Strategic Diversity Plan as Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It is bittersweet to leave, but I look forward to the opportunities that await at Chadron State College.” 

While at UNA, Patterson served initially as the Chief Enrollment Officer before transitioning to his current role as the Vice President for DEI. As the Vice President for DEI, he created the University’s Strategic Diversity Plan, which has already met and exceeded most of its benchmarks for success. Patterson has also coordinated the annual Martin Luther King Jr., programs as well as served the community on a variety of boards through the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. 

“Dr. Patterson has been an effective and vibrant leader at the University, engaging across divisions and departments in his role as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and I know he will continue his good work and great relationship building at Chadron State College,” said UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts. “We wish him the best in this new and exciting career opportunity.”

About The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Sun and United Athletic conferences. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: una.edu and una.edu/unaworks/.