Jimmy Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), has been named a Distinguished Community College State Director by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK). He will be recognized during PTK Catalyst 2021, the Society’s annual convention, broadcast live from Orlando, Florida, April 8-10.
The award recognizes the contributions of heads of statewide community college associations or systems and their demonstrated support for Phi Theta Kappa throughout their district and state. Winners may receive this award only once.
Baker was nominated by PTK’s Pi Psi Chapter at Coastal Alabama Community College for his hosting of the Annual Chancellor’s Banquet for college presidents at the All-Alabama Academic Team Ceremony. During this banquet, he personally congratulates each of the All-Alabama Academic Team award recipients.
“By serving as an example for his support for the All-Alabama Academic Team program, Chancellor Baker provides an example to each college president,” the nomination read. “In turn, each college president serves as examples to the deans of the colleges throughout the state.”
Baker bases funding for the state’s colleges on the graduation and retention rates of students and the placement of graduating students. He supports transfer agreements between the Alabama Community College System’s colleges and four-year universities and encourages the community colleges to be actively involved in maintaining and expanding these agreements.
Baker joined the ACCS as governmental affairs consultant and was appointed Chief of Staff in January 2016. He was named Acting Chancellor later that year and officially stepped into the role in 2017. He previously served as State Finance Director under Alabama Governor Fob James, and prior to that served as the state’s Assistant State Superintendent of Education of Finance for four years.
“Chancellor Baker is an outstanding model for how the leaders of community college systems and districts can champion student success by actively recognizing student achievement and making it easier for students to transfer to complete their education,” said PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “We are thrilled to present him with this distinguished award.”
