Ron Bishop
Vice President for Academics and Health & Safety Officer
I identify as a cis male and my preferred pronouns are he and his.
As a first-generation college student, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry in 1981 from Youngstown State University with three minors in Math, Biology and Psychology. Following three years of work as a research assistant and laboratory manager, I went on to earn a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from The West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1990.
On a separate career track, I worked intermittently as a licensed industrial / commercial electrician for over fifteen years, ultimately rising to the grades of Lead Mechanic and Foreman.
I worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Frederick, MD campus of the National Cancer Institute for several years, then as a Scientist in Research and Development for a contract research organization in Rockville, MD for two years. While there, I completed a certificate program in Management. However, this was my first position lacking regular contact with students, and I was dissatisfied.
In response, I took a position as a teacher in a private high school, then returned to construction to facilitate taking evening classes at Mount St. Mary’s College toward a master’s degree in Secondary Education. Those studies, including successful completion of student teaching and Praxis exams, were interrupted by a year as a Visiting Associate Professor at St. George’s University in Grenada.
On our return to the U.S. I continued to seek work in academia. I wrote a regular opinion column for the Frederick News-Post and developed as a public figure promoting discourse on issues such as education, infrastructure and environmental sustainability. Elected to the Village of Rosemont, MD Board of Commissioners, I served for one year before moving to Upstate New York in September 2005 – for family rather than for work.
I started at SUNY Oneonta as an Adjunct Lecturer in January 2006, progressed to Lecturer in 2007, and was appointed an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry in 2015. Supported by UUP and our Office of Facilities and Planning, I earned national certification as a Chemical Hygiene Officer (hazardous materials specialist) in 2009 and began to serve as UUP Health & Safety Officer.
In that role I’ve helped to mitigate workplace problems in several campus spaces and contributed Sentinel articles. I’ve participated in monthly Labor-Management meetings and in legislative advocacy here and in Albany. Now, after serving as Interim Vice President for Academics and Interim Grievance Officer, I am pleased to serve as your elected Vice President for Academics.
