Questar III BOCES Coordinator of Communications Dan Sherman was recently named “35 Under 35” by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). The new recognition program honors emerging school communications leaders under the age of 35 across the United States.
Sherman will be featured in an upcoming NSPRA publication and recognized at the association’s annual meeting in July 2013.
Questar III District Superintendent Jim Baldwin, who has worked with Sherman for the past 11 years, nominated him for this honor.
“Over the years Dan Sherman has distinguished himself as a consummate public relations professional. He has worked tirelessly to modify our Communications Services to school districts and has succeeded in making the service indispensable to the superintendents and school districts it serves. Dan brings an outstanding work ethic, a talent for writing and a thorough understanding of contemporary communications media to bear on our work. He is a valued member of the Questar III leadership team and we congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition,” Baldwin said.
During his time at Questar III, Sherman helped the agency grow its Communication Service from a staff of three to nine. The department now serves 15 school districts as well as the BOCES and its partner organizations (RBERN, PRHYLI and the Tech Valley Career Pathways Consortium). It also provides onsite services to seven districts.
Questar III’s Communications Service helps school districts and BOCES communicate with the public. Sherman and his team plan communication strategies, develop websites, write and produce publications, work with the media and facilitate public meetings.
Sherman credits his BOCES and school district colleagues for this honor.
“I share this honor with those I work with and serve. I wouldn’t be as nearly successful without their support and input,” he said.
Under Sherman’s leadership, Questar III’s Communications Service has been recognized for outstanding achievement in educational communications by the New York School Public Relations Association and National School Public Relations Association.
It was also recognized for excellence at the 2012 Hermes Awards, an international competition for creative professionals. Out of 4,700 entries from across the globe, Questar III earned seven awards, including the contest’s highest honor.
Since joining Questar III in 2001, Sherman has worked with a number of school districts in the region, including working onsite in Averill Park, East Greenbush and Troy as part of a shared communications position.
Prior to Questar III, Sherman served as a writer for several Internet companies and an assistant at the Boston University Law Library. He also interned in Washington, DC for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), where he communicated with the White House, Congress and State Department and assisted with visits by foreign dignitaries.
Sherman earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University at Albany and a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Boston University.
Please visit www.nspra.org for more information on the National School Public Relations Association.
