Jerilyn E. Fairman Appointed Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs

Jerilyn E. Fairman (right) has been appointed Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs at Jefferson Community College (JCC). The provost title is new, established following an analysis of the College’s organizational structure, and combines academic affairs and student affairs functions under a single administrator. Fairman, who has served as JCC’s Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs since June 2022, also began overseeing the majority of student affairs and supervising the College’s Interim Dean of Students in January 2023. Prior to her interim Vice President appointment, Fairman had served as the College’s Associate Vice President for Liberal Arts since 2016. 

The first 20 years of Fairman’s 35-year tenure at the College were spent as a faculty member before moving into a series of leadership roles beginning with math department chair, followed by Dean for Curriculum and Instruction, and then Dean for Instructional Support, Assessment, and Accreditation, then Associate Vice President for Liberal Arts, followed by interim appointment as Vice President for Academic Affairs. As the College’s chief academic officer, Fairman is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of all academic programs and for the overall supervision of instructional personnel and library staff. She serves as chairperson of the College’s Academic Council, plays an integral role in both strategic planning and compliance with Middle States standards of accreditation, and is the liaison to the Office of the Provost at the State University of New York (SUNY). Fairman offers a wealth of experience and keen understanding of assessment, general education, developmental education, and distance learning. 

As Provost, Fairman will continue to oversee most student affairs functions including student activities, residence life, athletics, access and opportunity programs, accommodative services, and student conduct. Later this semester, enrollment services functions including admissions, student records, financial aid, concurrent enrollment, Fort Drum, and prison education programs will also be managed by the Provost. 

Throughout her Jefferson career, Fairman has been involved in nearly all facets of campus governance and holds an outstanding record of committee service and commitment to students. She served as the College’s Title IX Coordinator for students for many years. In 2022, Fairman received the prestigious SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from SUNY Albany.  

“Provost Fairman is a seasoned leader on this campus, with deep institutional knowledge and a broad perspective having been a faculty member before becoming an administrator,” said Daniel J. Dupee II, College President. “Her commitment to serving students well and giving them every opportunity to achieve success in the classroom and become well-rounded citizens outside the classroom is second to none.”

Fairman’s appointment was effective January 15, 2024.