Dr. Christopher Carr is a leadership and policy expert focused on educational access, student engagement, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) community building. His commitment to fostering belonging has guided his work in talent development and retention, collaborative teamwork, broadening participation in STEM fields, and creating supportive workplace environments. With a background in public policy, he brings thoughtful perspectives to complex conversations, ensuring all voices contribute to meaningful solutions.

In his professional life, Dr. Carr has convened numerous leadership forums in STEM – bringing together over 100 deans and administrators to discuss student persistence, faculty development, and creating campus climates where everyone can thrive. He has led workshops for agencies such as the Small Business Association and advised on engagement strategies with groups like the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Dr. Carr has championed expanding access to opportunities for vulnerable communities, working to see STEM outreach efforts grow exponentially to reach Communities of Color, Rural, International, Neurodivergent groups, and others who have traditionally faced barriers to STEM participation.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ His efforts transformed how the National Science Foundation approached the premier Graduate Research Fellowship Program, leading to comprehensive changes in other federal STEM programs.

In his role at George Mason University, Dr. Carr supports faculty processes to help ensure the George Mason faculty embody the university values such as “we are careful stewards”, “diversity is our strength”, and “innovation is our tradition”. He collaborates with the Office of the Dean and associate deans to develop and enhance campus environments where empathy, awareness, and mutual support flourish within the College of Engineering and Computing. He advances the larger campus community goals by thoughtfully challenging conventional approaches and supporting the university’s strategic vision to be an “innovative and inclusive academic community committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world.”.

From 2022 until January 2025, Dr. Carr served at the Environmental Protection Agency where he developed and implemented programs focused on access, engagement, and organizational culture. His pioneering framework of “Casseroles, Community, and Canaries” focused on strategically bridging groups and leaders to understand, embrace, and enact policies that foster environments where all individuals can contribute meaningfully to the agency’s mission.

Degrees:

• Doctorate in Education, Interdisciplinary Leadership, Creighton University

• Master of Public Policy, International Relations & American Politics, Pepperdine University

• Bachelor of Arts, International Relations & History, William Jewell College​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​