James (Jamie) F. Birge has been working in higher education settings since 1984. During the course of his career he has focused upon educating men and women to take leadership roles in society. Since 1997, Birge has worked with academic leaders to help establish institutional programs that combine formal education with community based learning strategies. Research topics that particularly interest Birge include the role of academic presidents as public leaders, the development of community and campus partnerships, and the historic public purpose of American higher education.

Dr. Birge’s formal education started at Westfield (MA) State College earning an undergraduate degree in elementary education. He earned his graduate degree in Education at Plymouth (NH) State University and his Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. His dissertation topic is Academic Presidents as Public Leaders.

Birge is frequently called upon to present at conferences, contribute to publications, and offer training/technical assistance on topics related to service-learning, civic engagement, and the civic responsibility of higher education. Since 1997, he has served as the executive director of the Pennsylvania Campus Compact, an association of 61 college and university presidents committed to the civic purpose of higher education. PACC is the oldest and largest of the 30 state compacts in the nation. Over his 20 years in higher education, Birge has held administrative positions in student affairs and academic affairs and in public and private institutions of higher education.