Meet a Member of Student Life!

By: Alicia Smith

Within SUNY Niagara there is a Student Life. Student Life is an organization focused on making students’ time at campus enjoyable. They organize the events held on campus and help students with planning other events or activities. Sometimes it is a movie and some popcorn, other times it is cookie decorating or an activity like coloring. The idea is to allow students to de-stress from the demanding academic load of college. Jessica Heideman is the new Program Administrator for Student Life.

What is her role in Student Life as Program Administrator?

Heideman directs various programs and initiatives designed to enhance the student experience at SUNY Niagara. Her duties include overseeing the entire Student Life Department, which includes all Clubs and Organizations, Community Service, Leadership Development, New Student Orientation, advising the Student Government Association (SGA), Student Center operations, organizational and strategic leadership, assessment, and student programming. In addition, she provides support to clubs and organizations with leadership development, event coordination. She also manages vital resources like the campus food pantry and Annie’s Closet. A key aspect of her role is empowering students to shape their experiences beyond the classroom at SUNY Niagara.

How and why did she decide to work for SUNY Niagara’s Student Life?

Heideman always had a passion for helping students grow and succeed in their college journeys. She enjoys building relationships with students and providing them with opportunities to develop leadership skills, explore their interests, and make meaningful connections.When an opportunity to work for SUNY Niagara came up, she was excited by the chance to create impactful programs and foster a vibrant, inclusive campus community.

She began her career in higher education in 1999 as a graduate assistant for Campus Life at SUNY Brockport. Her passion stemmed from her own undergraduate experiences, where she was deeply involved in campus activities. Through her experiences she developed a strong foundation in leadership and community engagement. She served as a cheerleader, tour guide, and president of her sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma.

Throughout her career, she held many roles in several institutions. She worked in student employment at the University of Rochester, served as a graduate counseling intern at the University at Buffalo, and worked in Campus and Student Life at Valdosta State University and the Rochester Institute of Technology.

What does a typical day look like?

Everyday is a little different and that is one reason she enjoys working in higher education. One day she may be meeting with student leaders to come up with an event, the next, she may be working on logistics for a new program. While there is always something new to dive into, Heideman tries to make time to check in with students who stop in for advice or just to chat.

What is her favorite part of the job?

Heideman’s favorite part of the job is seeing students discover their potential and achieve their goals. Whether it is students excelling in a leadership role or simply feeling more confident in themselves, those types of moments make all the work worthwhile. Heideman also enjoys collaborating with her team to come up with new ideas to engage and support the students.

Fun Facts on Jessica Heideman:

• She has two children: one is a junior at SUNY Brockport, and the other is a junior in high school.
• She enjoys building and refinishing furniture.
• She holds an undergraduate degree in physical education and health science with a concentration in athletic training and a master’s degree in counseling.
• She enjoys listening to podcasts and audiobooks.