The Division of Strategic Communications and External Relations has appointed Mr. Christopher Nolin as Director, Community and State Relations, in the Office of Government and Community Relations, effective October 6, 2014.

“We are delighted to welcome Chris as a key member of the Government and Community Relations team,” said David Brond, Vice President for Strategic Communications and External Relations. “Chris brings to Rensselaer over a decade of experience in tracking the New York state executive and legislative branches, and anticipating the ways that potential legislative and regulatory changes could impact private universities in the state. He has also demonstrated a strong commitment to community, which will fortify the position of Rensselaer in the city of Troy, the Capital Region, and beyond.”

Since 2003, Mr. Nolin has been the Director, Collaborative and Legislative Affairs for the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (cIcu) of New York state. In this role, he has been an advocate on behalf New York’s independent colleges and universities before the New York State Senate, Assembly, and Executive Chamber. His responsibilities included developing content for advocacy publications, and analyzing, tracking, and preparing action plans for state legislation impacting the independent sector. He also served as coordinator for cIcu’s 200+ member college and university government affairs network.

Prior to joining cIcu, he was employed by Realtech Systems Corporation/IP Logic as an Associate Network Engineer. Chris received both his B.S. degree in computer science and applied mathematics and his MBA from the University at Albany.

Chris is also active in the community and currently serves as President of the Albany County Board of Health, and as a Commissioner of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission.