Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) President Jim Glass has appointed Dr. Ron O’Meara as the new Vice President for Academic Affairs of Southern Regional Technical College.

Dr. O’Meara has served as Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at SRTC since 2018, but his career in higher education began at the University of Northern Iowa. There, he progressed from Cooperative Education Coordinator to Assistant Director of Placement before taking a position as a Tenured Professor of Engineering Technology. After leaving Iowa, he served as a Dean of Technology and Industry at the former Valdosta Technical College, now Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. At Wiregrass, he took on various leadership roles, including Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Institutional Research and Strategic Initiatives, and Vice President of Economic Development. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Adult and Career Education at Valdosta State University. In addition to his career in higher education, O’Meara spent six years working as a Manufacturing Engineer for Winnebago Industries.

“Technical education has always been important,” commented O’Meara. “It continues to be important now because a number of the jobs available require advanced skills and not necessarily a four-year degree.  Students completing programs at a technical college have fantastic opportunities upon graduation to have a fulfilling career.”

In his new role, Dr. O’Meara will be responsible for administering and evaluating institutional services to include supervision and leadership in the activities of personnel as related to instruction. He will be working closely with SRTC faculty to develop and improve program offerings. “My goals for the college are to develop and improve programs that support the business and industry within our service area, and to create niche programs that are unique to Southern Regional Technical College,” said O’Meara. “SRTC is dedicated to providing students with the best educational experience possible. I hope to continue the work of removing barriers so that our students can attain their career goals and be productive citizens.”

“Ron’s extensive experience in higher education is an asset to this college and the communities that we serve,” said SRTC President Jim Glass. “His dedication to technical education is evident in the tireless work ethic and meticulous attention to detail that he brings to the table every day of the week.”

O’Meara holds a Bachelor of Technology, Master of Arts in Technology, and a Doctorate of Industrial Technology from the University of Northern Iowa. Along the way, he also earned a diploma in Automotive Technology.

O’Meara said that in his three decades of work in higher education, he has enjoyed repeatedly witnessing the life-changing potential of technical education, “Education changes people's lives. I find it tremendously rewarding to watch as the education we provide has a positive impact on students striving to achieve their goals.”