Ryan Shumaker arrived at San Diego Mesa College in the fall of 2017. Eight years later, as Dean and Athletic Director, he has turned the Olympian athletic program into one of the top junior college athletic programs in the nation.
A native San Diegan, Shumaker graduated from West Hills High School and began his college journey at Cuyamaca College. As a first-generation college student from a single-parent household, he understood the challenges of affording a university education. At Cuyamaca, he thrived both academically and athletically, earning a spot on the President’s List for all six semesters while competing in basketball and track and field.
Shumaker transferred to Southern Illinois University on a full athletic scholarship, where he excelled in the hammer and shot put. He finished first in his events 14 times during his first indoor season, qualified for the NCAA West Regionals, and earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors. More importantly, he earned his bachelor’s degree in management and later a master’s degree in marketing.
Returning home, Shumaker pursued his Doctorate in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Community College and Postsecondary Education at San Diego State University. During that time, he worked at Cuyamaca College, first as a Student Success Coordinator, then as interim Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Athletics, before becoming Dean of Athletics in 2015.
A lifelong advocate for community colleges, Shumaker often says, “Community colleges provide opportunities for kids who may not otherwise have opportunities.”
Since his arrival, Mesa College has set the bar in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference. The Olympians have collected the majority of the league's titles, stacked up six state championships, earned 30 individual state crowns, and claimed the Chet DeVore Trophy, awarded to the conference’s top program, for seven straight years. The 2024–25 season showed just how far ahead they are: Mesa scored 20.17 points, while MiraCosta (8.05) and Grossmont (7.94) trailed far behind. In the PCAC, Mesa isn’t just competing—, they’re the standard everyone else is chasing.
This success extends far beyond success on the playing field. More than 100 Mesa student-athletes are transferring to four-year universities this year alone, receiving over $3 million in scholarships. Since 2017, Mesa athletes have earned more than $20 million in scholarship support.
Mesa’s excellence has also gained national recognition. In 2024–25, the college finished second in the Ron Case Cup standings, awarded by the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA). The honor recognizes the top two-year athletic programs across the nation based on state championship performance.
Shumaker’s philosophy is simple, support everyone around him and help them “live the dream,” a phrase he often uses when asked how his day is going. For coaches, that means listening to their input and giving them the resources to succeed. For athletes, it means creating an environment where they can grow in the classroom as well as in competition.
To make that possible, he recently introduced The Ozone, a study space with tutors and free computers available several days a week, and built a multimedia room for film review and team meetings. These projects reflect his approach: he doesn’t just listen to what his staff and athletes need, he makes it happen. By ensuring both coaches and student-athletes have the tools to succeed, Shumaker has built a program where everyone truly has the chance to “live the dream.”
Today, Mesa College athletics stand as a model for two-year colleges nationwide. Competitive, supportive, and committed to student success. Shumaker has built more than winning teams; he has built pathways for opportunity, proving that the Olympian way sets the standard.