Christopher Whitehead

I am in pursuit of a career centered on reading, writing, researching, and teaching with the intention to provide academic enrichment to the four year experience of college students. My education has been broad. I have a B.A. in Political Science from Syracuse University, an M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from New York University, and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from New York University.

Academic Appointments

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY 2016-2022

Program Manager, Office of Student Affairs, School of Global Public Health, 2021 – Present

• Initiate virtual programming and virtual community spaces for MPH students completing their degree fully online
• Co-founder and co-designer of GPH Emerging Leader Program, a year-long leadership opportunity that allows students to explore the interdisciplinary nature of public health through the lens of innovation and storytelling
• Partnered with GPH department chairs to form the Online Student Taskforce where we evaluate and improve existing policies for MPH students completing their degree fully online
• Advise 200+  graduate students completing their masters in public health and undergraduate students with a combined major in global public health

Adjunct Professor, “Introduction to Prose and Poetry,” 2022

• Created an original syllabus themed, The Art of Storytelling, for an intro-level creative writing class happening from 8AM-9:15AM on Mondays and Wednesdays during the spring 2022 semester
• Taught basic elements of creative writing to a full roster of undergraduate students, including techniques for “reading as a writer” and critically editing and critiquing prose
• Incorporated concepts such as justice, intersectionality, identity, and culture into the overall course theme of storytelling, highlighting the urgency and power of storytelling in everyday life

Assistant Director, Academic Support, College of Arts and Science, 2017–2021

• Facilitated weekly cohort seminars for first-year advisees which highlighted topics such as time management, wellness, and diversity on campus
• Initiated and developed curriculum for Back on Track workshops to support students on academic probation and high alert
• Co-directed all aspects, including budget management, assessment, marketing and communications for University Learning Center
• Identified, hired, and trained full-time Academic Advisor for academic support team
• Identified, hired, trained, and supervised student staff of ~65 student workers
• Oversaw development of Learning Center workshops and programs
• Collaborated with NYU undergraduate schools, departments, and offices
• Member NYU CAS Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, “JEDI” Council

Program Associate, Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Program, 2016–2020

• Facilitated weekly Martin Luther King Jr. Seminars for 30-40 first-year students
• Point person regarding student wellness and safety for domestic and international travel colloquium
• Designed curriculum for MLK seminars intended to educate first-year students on Dr. King’s legacy and inspire discussion concerning current and historical social justice events
• Managed curriculum design for the program’s annual MLK teach-in, where first-year colleges students are tasked with holding a social justice workshop for high school students

LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY 2015-2016

Diversity Programming Specialist, Long Island University Post, 2015–2016

• Developed and implemented all diversity and inclusion events and programs on the LIU Post campus
• Created and implemented the Multiversity Program, which unified various staff of color across campus to act as a resource to all multicultural clubs by providing support and opportunities based on academic excellence and club collaboration
• Managed the multicultural and international programming budget, as well as 8 student club budgets
• Planned all social and educational programs related to diversity for 8 LIU Post Residence Halls
• Maintained weekly on-call duty hours and executed proper emergency and non-emergency protocol as needed

Invited Lectures & Workshops

Guest lecturer, Introduction to Poetry & Fiction, Illinois Math and Science Academy (2021)

Workshop Facilitator, Poetry, Syracuse University (2015)

Workshop Facilitator at BLM Conference, Spoken Word Poetry, Loyola University in Chicago (2016)

Workshop Facilitator, Spoken Word Poetry, LIU Post (2017)

Performer and Facilitator, Spoken Word Poetry, New York University (2016 & 2018)

New York University, 2020-2022

Master of Fine Arts, Fiction

Creative Writing Program

Thesis: The Boys Back Then, novel excerpt

Thesis Advisor: Hannah Tinti

New York University, 2015-2017

Master of Arts

Steinhardt School of Education, Administration, Leadership, and Technology

Syracuse University, 2010-2014

Bachelor of Arts

Political Science