Christina Sax, Ph.D.
Experienced Leader – Trusted Partner – Practical Problem-Solver
Chris Sax brings a unique combination of executive leadership, consulting expertise, and firsthand institutional experience to helping colleges and universities strengthen quality and achieve meaningful results. With 36 years in higher education and 25 years of consulting experience, she understands both the strategic aspirations of institutions and the operational realities of achieving them. She is a Harvard University trained consultant.
Having served as a university president, provost, dean, department chair, and faculty member, Chris brings perspectives from virtually every level of higher education. She has particular expertise in understanding and supporting small colleges and universities, where limited resources and competing priorities require practical, creative, and sustainable solutions.
A nationally recognized higher education leader, consultant, educator, speaker, and author, Chris has led institutional and inter-institutional initiatives in strategic planning, accreditation, assessment, institutional effectiveness, program and curriculum development, and leadership development. She was the Co-Founding Director of Quality Matters, an internationally recognized program focused on quality assurance in online education. Online education and serving the unique needs of adult and non-traditional learners since 1998 are unifying themes of Dr. Sax’s higher education career.
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A Collaborative, Results-Oriented Approach
Chris believes the most effective consulting relationships are true partnerships. Grounded in appreciative inquiry and a possibilities mindset, her approach begins with listening, understanding institutional context, and recognizing existing strengths and opportunities.
Rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions, Chris collaborates with institutional leaders, faculty, and staff to develop practical strategies that align with their priorities, resources, and organizational culture. She doesn’t simply provide advice and recommendations – she works alongside clients to translate ideas into action and build capacity for sustained improvement.
Her work is characterized by thoughtful analysis, inclusive collaboration, practical tools, and a commitment to achieving meaningful results.
Experience and Accomplishments
Chris’ career reflects extensive experience in institutional leadership, innovation, collaboration, and continuous quality improvement.
Institutional Leadership: 36 years in higher education, including service as university president, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, associate provost for academic innovation and outreach, dean, associate dean, assistant dean, department chair, and faculty member.
Consulting: 25 years of consulting experience with more than 100 clients, including colleges, universities, and higher education-related organizations. Nearly half (46%) have returned for multiple engagements.
Accreditation and Quality Assurance: Peer evaluator for 3 institutional accreditors, with experience achieving and sustaining accreditation involving 12 institutional and programmatic accreditors.
Strategic Planning: Development and implementation of 15 institutional and divisional strategic plans.
Program and Curriculum Innovation: Development of 39 academic programs and 48 non-credit professional development programs, including microcredentials and alignment with workforce development needs.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Facilitated the formation and leadership of 69 collaborations and partnerships across organizations.
Presentations and Professional Development: Delivered more than 150 keynote presentations, conference sessions, workshops, and training programs for over 8,200 attendees.
Professional Recognition: Recipient of 14 national, regional, and state awards for higher education leadership and innovation, with service on 5 national education-related boards.
Specialized Credentials
Chris combines extensive practical experience with advanced professional development in consulting, facilitation, organizational improvement, and higher education leadership. Her selected specialized credentials include:
Consulting, Facilitation, and Coaching
- Consulting education, Harvard University
- Certified Virtual Facilitator, International Institute of Facilitation
- Leading Positive Change through Appreciative Inquiry, Case Western Reserve University
- Professional Certificate in Coaching, MTF Institute
Leadership and Strategic Planning
- Leadership Development Program, Center for Creative Leadership
- Women’s National Leadership Program, American Council on Education
- Design Thinking for Innovation, University of Virginia Darden School of Business
Assessment, Accreditation, and Educational Quality
- Toolbox for Assessing Institutional Effectiveness, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Integrating Planning and Assessment, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Instructional Design Certificate, University of New England