SUNY Canton Associate Professor Races Toward Instructor of the Year Title
Associate Professor Brandon J. Baldwin uses his passion for cars, music, engineering, the environment, and people to drive the Automotive Technology program at SUNY Canton.
Now, Baldwin has emerged as a strong contender in the prestigious 2023-2024 Instructor of the Year Program, presented by Tomorrow’s Technician and sponsored by B’laster Products.
The contest was designed to honor educators who demonstrate an unconventional approach to education, tackle challenges with creativity and passion, and are dedicated to shaping the future of automotive technicians.
Baldwin was initially interested in becoming a music teacher or an agricultural engineer.
“I grew up around cars and tractors,” Baldwin said during a video interview with B’Laster. “I prefer being a technician to being an engineer.”
With his foundation in agriculture, he obtained his associate degree from SUNY Morrisville. He furthered his education with a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University. While working at a Goodyear dealership, he pursued a master's in Career and Technical Education from Buffalo State University.
Since joining the Automotive Technology program at SUNY Canton's Canino School of Engineering Technology in 2006, Baldwin has played a pivotal role in the program's continuing success. The college attained National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) certification, fostering partnerships with industry giants like Subaru Distributors Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and Volkswagen of America, among others. The program also maintains close relationships with numerous area dealerships.
“When a student graduates from this program it shouldn't matter whether they're looking at a Lexus, Subaru, Toyota, or Mercedes,” he said. “They should be able to figure out how to fix it.”
The most recent development in the Automotive Technology program mirrors the industry’s integration of electric and hybrid vehicles. Baldwin has developed new courses to encompass the new technologies.
In addition to vying for the title of B’laster Instructor of the Year and teaching full-time, Baldwin also races rallycross and is the Secretary for the Seaway Cruisers Classic Car Club.
As Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and professional certificate programs, SUNY Canton delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, management, and healthcare fields. It is home to the Center for Criminal Justice, Intelligence and Cybersecurity. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. As SUNY's leader in online education, SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 23 online degree programs. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos 15 traditional athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level as part of the North Atlantic Conference. SUNY Canton also features varsity esports and cheerleading.