For more than 20 years, Pamela Baldwin, Ed.D, has enhanced educational institutions by focusing on student success and innovation in the classroom. As the inaugural Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success at Fayetteville State University, she is building a clearer path for prospective students to enroll and graduate. Her appointment was effective July 1.
“As the University expands and prioritizes enrollment, retention, and graduation rates, this new role was created to chart a path forward,” said Chancellor Darrell T. Allison. “Dr. Baldwin is an experienced leader who works collaboratively with others to set strategic goals and attain them. I am confident that she will be instrumental in advancing FSU’s aggressive goals of remaining as one of the most affordable institutions in the nation and achieving an even greater rate of success of students obtaining their degree in 4 years or less.”
The role aligns with FSU’s and the UNC System’s strategic goals, prioritizing not only enrolling students but also supporting them through the academic continuum toward graduating in four years or less. The new role also elevates FSU’s commitment to preparing students for success after graduation with quality academic, professional, and co-curricular opportunities that enhance their experience.
As the new VC for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success Baldwin oversees enrollment management and student success, two critically important operations. “This work includes creating processes in the Admissions Office and the Registrar’s Office to recruit and enroll students, seamlessly moving them to the advising center where they can register for the right courses and establish graduation plans,” Baldwin said. She also leads student success strategy, where FSU’s Career Services – paid internships and workforce pipeline – will play a more critical role in the overall academic experience for students. “The most important part of this role is being a great collaborator across our campus to implement initiatives that improve outcomes and remove barriers to provide a better experience and better pathways for all students,” she added.
Prior to this role, Dr. Baldwin served as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success and Enrollment Management, where she assisted with two consecutive years of record-high summer school enrollment. She also piloted Bronco Benefit, which saw the university go from one to 16 guaranteed transfer admissions partnerships with North Carolina community colleges. FSU has experienced a consistent increase in fall-to-fall retention rates for first-year students and Baldwin has assisted and oversaw initiatives contributing to that accomplishment. While Baldwin leads the enrollment strategy, FSU continues to experience increases in first-time freshmen and total enrollment.
Baldwin joined FSU in April 2022 as the Associate Dean of Academic Partnerships. She guided the university’s efforts to develop and maintain relationships with K-12 systems, community colleges and other key community partners. She filled an interim role as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management supervising admissions, the registrar, call center and financial offices. Her responsibilities expanded to supervise the advisement center, Bronco One Stop, military affiliated services, academic partnerships and college access programs.
Before working at FSU, Baldwin began her career as a science teacher in 1999 at White Oak High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina. “Teaching wasn’t my initial career goal, but I loved it from the first day,” she said.
Early on, Baldwin recognized her ability to positively impact students’ experience in the classroom. “I always loved science, but more importantly I loved the students and the opportunity to make an impact,” she said. “I bought into the idea that I could make a larger impact if I had a bigger role.”
She went on to hold Assistant Principal, Principal and Director of Teaching and Learning roles throughout North Carolina public school systems. She also served as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction with Scotland County Schools and Superintendent with Asheville City Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.
“This is what I was called to do; I feel like I’ve always focused on student success,” she continued, “and I hope our Broncos know we care, and their hopes and dreams are our hopes and dreams too.”
- This article has been revised to alter the title from "Dr. Pamela Baldwin Appointed As The Inaugural Vice Chancellor At University of North Carolina-FSU" to "Dr. Pamela Baldwin Appointed As The Inaugural Vice Chancellor At FSU."
