IT Director Max Baca Appointed to Board for Innovate-Educate New Mexico
New Mexico Highlands University Information Technology Services Director Max Baca was appointed to the board of directors for Innovate-Educate New Mexico, a nonprofit organization that formed in January 2009.
“Our primary goal for Innovate-Educate New Mexico is to partner top industry leaders with New Mexico education leaders to identify sustainable solutions to transform education to make students and teachers more prepared for the 21st century global economy,” said Jamai Blivin, executive director for Innovate-Educate New Mexico. “This started as a grassroots effort in New Mexico. As an incubator state for this issue, we believe we are creating a national model.
“Max Baca is a visionary who understands the importance of technology in higher education teaching and learning. He also brings policy expertise to the board,” Blivin said.
“Statewide, we’re not producing enough students with the skill sets they needs for today’s workforce,” Baca said. “This is a national issue, not just a New Mexico issue. Innovate-Educate New Mexico focuses on thinking outside the box to create solutions that will positively impact our educational system.”
Baca has served as the Highlands University information technology director since 1999, and has worked for more than 20 years at the university in various IT positions.
During his tenure at Highlands University, Baca has attained numerous technology grants for the university, including ones awarded from Microsoft Corporation and the National Institutes of Health.
Baca is active in regional and national information technology organizations, including serving as a two-term president for the New Mexico Council for Higher Education Computing/Communications Services.
In addition to his information technology management responsibilities, since 2002 Baca has served the university as a government relations liaison. In this capacity, he works collectively with other university officials on legislative lobbying efforts to help acquire funding for university capital outlay projects and special projects.