We celebrate the many accomplishments in the career of Dr. James N. Baldwin. A graduate of the Columbia High School Class of 1972, Dr. Baldwin excels in his professional achievements and his outstanding service as a public servant and educational leader.
Upon graduation from Columbia, Jim earned as Associate’s Degree from the Junior College of Albany in 1974. Two years later, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Union College. Jim began his career with the New York State Assembly’s House Operations Committee in 1976. At this same time, Jim attended Albany Law School, Union University, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1979 and was admitted to practice law in 1980.
In 1983, Jim was appointed as the Executive Deputy Secretary of State for New York State. He served in this position for 12 years during the administration of Governor Mario Cuomo and Secretary of State Gail Shaffer. During this time, Jim led the reorganization of the Department’s Division of Economic Opportunity with its Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program being recognized as a national model. Jim was also instrumental in modernizing the ministerial and filing function of the agency—the Bureau of Corporations and Uniform Commercial Code Unit as well as the Division of Licensing Services. Gail Shaffer shared her insights about Jim and stated that “throughout those twelve years, Jim Baldwin was my closest, most trusted colleague in every respect. Jim is everything one would want not only in a manager, but as a leader. He sets high standards—ethically, professionally, substantively, and in his sensitive treatment of and genuine concern for employees and colleagues—that inspire respect and collegiality. In an environment where large egos collide, hubris abounds and many lose their footing or sense of purpose, Jim has been as rock solid as Gibraltar in his judgment and his integrity, proven over time, and in his dedication to public service.”
Jim left his position at the State and became the Deputy Corporation Counsel for the city of Troy in 1996. It was during this time that Jim was elected to the East Greenbush Board of Education, a position he held for 6 years. He served as a Board Liaison to this Education Foundation.
In 1998, Jim began a 16-year career with Questar III BOCES. He started as Legal and Labor Relations Counsel. While serving in this capacity, Jim returned to school himself, and received his Doctor of Education degree from the Teachers College, Columbia University He was appointed Chief Operating Officer and finally became Chief Executive Officer and District Superintendent in 2002.
As an educational leader Jim has been an outspoken advocate for school reform, student centered instruction and greater transparency, accountability and responsiveness of public schools. As district superintendent he focused on the need to effectively engage today’s students with instructional practices and experiences that develop critical thinking and problem solving skills along with subject matter mastery. His colleagues elected him as their Chair and liaison to the Commissioner, a statewide leadership role, in 2008.
His successes and achievements at Questar III BOCES were numerous. Among some examples are:
*Expanding career and technical education (CTE), including adding new hands-on programs in aviation, aviation maintenance technology and certified nurse assistant and strengthening New Visions career exploration college level programs in global public health; science, math and engineering and the visual and performing arts for high school seniors.
*Opening four small academies for special needs students (Sacket Center in Schodack, Catskill Academy, Rensselaer Academy and George Washington Academy in Averill Park)-shifting away from private non-school buildings in isolated settings to leases with local school districts so that students could benefit from less restrictive settings and better facilities.
*Building a consortium with Troy City Schools, Hudson Valley Community College, the Center for Economic Growth, GE Healthcare and Regeneron to open Riverfront P-Tech in September 2014.This school, one of 16 winners of the state’s Pathways in Technology Early College High School (NYS P-TECH) program, prepares Troy students for high-skill jobs in technology, manufacturing and healthcare.
*Securing support and approval from the state legislature and Governor to develop and open Tech Valley High School, now a national model of 21st century teaching and learning. The school has close ties to emerging tech businesses, laptops for every student, and a project-based curriculum.
Dr. Charles Dedrick, Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent, stated “Dr. Baldwin was the co-founder of Tech Valley High School, now located on the campus of SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s College of Nano Scale Science and Engineering. This renowned school with a STEM focus brought together 47 school districts from a seven county area of the Capital Region. It was the first high school in NYS entirely based on project based learning (PBL) and has become a beacon for PBL in NYS and around the world. Visitors from as far away from China and India visit Tech Valley High School to learn about this innovative PBL teaching method. Without Jim Baldwin’s ability to bring together diverse groups from government, business, higher education and public education, Tech Valley High School would never have been possible.”
Former Capital Region BOCES Superintendent, Barbara Nagler his co-founder of Tech Valley High reflected upon Jim’s tenure at Questar III BOCES. She recalled that “he spoke proudly of the Questar III services and always looked for ways to improve services so that more students would be successful. He enjoyed visiting the classes and sharing time with the students. It was not a surprise to me if I called his office and learned that he was unavailable because it was Halloween and he was visiting the classrooms of ghosts and goblins or attending Thanksgiving celebrations in classrooms – the largest of which was always at our own Goff Middle School. . Near Christmas, he’d be dressed up like Frosty the Snowman , visiting the youngest Questar III students along with a cast of holiday characters from the Questar III staff and bringing them good cheer.”
After 36 years in public service, Jim retired from Questar III in September 2014. Not quite ready to stay home, Jim became the Vice President and Chief of Staff for Excelsior College. He has since been named Executive Vice President of the College. In this role, he is responsible for the coordination of the work of the College leadership and major projects and services of the College. Excelsior College President, John Ebersole, stated that “in all of my interactions with Jim, the one thing that has always stood out is his interest in and commitment to students. A superb administrator and leader, Jim works with those around him to enhance the student experience and to remove any barriers that may impede their success.”
With a successful career spanning over 38 years, Jim has been the recipient of numerous awards. They include:
*National School Development Council-Capital Area School Development Association Cooperative Leadership Award - 2010-2011
*Friendship Circle, Leadership on behalf of individuals with special needs Award – 2010
*NYS Association of Women Administrators-Amy Bull Crist Award for regional leadership in support of leadership development for women and girls in education – 2010
*Excelsior College Lifelong Learner Award – 2010
Finally, we can’t forget the civic work that Jim has been involved in throughout the years. Jim was a founding Board Member of the Defreestville Area Neighborhood Association. He was a Member and Lead Facilitator on the Task Force for Re-Imagining Catholic Education for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. He continues to serve on the Tech Valley Education Foundation.