Chris Mayer

About Chris Mayer

West Point leader and philosopher who has spent nearly 20 years developing leaders of character; leading curricular, assessment, and organizational transformations; and guiding future-focused strategic planning at an institution whose vision is to be the world\'s preeminent leader development institution. I combine leader development experience with higher education leadership that includes curriculum and assessment innovation, strategic planning, shared governance, admissions, student success initiatives, faculty development, and accreditation. I bring to this work strategic foresight focused on organizational strategies and employability and a philosopher\'s perspective on how the humanities, and more broadly the liberal arts, prepare people for an AI-dominated world. My focus on leader development includes leadership skills but emphasizes developing the whole person into leaders of character. This approach integrates philosophical insight and expertise in the development of durable skills with strategic foresight to help leaders and their teams clarify direction, explore emerging possibilities, and align decisions with long-term purpose and values. As a Strategic Foresight Practitioner trained through the University of Houston and the Association of Professional Futurists Emerging Fellows Program, I help organizations design strategies and build the capacity to anticipate and prepare for change using strategic foresight. I have worked with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education for over a decade as a team leader, workshop facilitator, and member of the Committee on Applicant and Candidate Institutions, where I evaluate new applicants and innovative higher education models for accreditation. This has deepened my understanding of institutional quality and effectiveness. Beyond my work at West Point, I advise higher education institutions, nonprofits, and organizations on strengthening connections between education and the future of work and employability. I help them assess programs, develop strategies informed by strategic foresight, and build sustainable strategic capacity to navigate major transitions and prepare students and teams for an uncertain, evolving world of work. This is my personal account. The views I share are mine and not the views of the United States Military Academy, the United States Army, or the Department of Defense.

Experience

1. Member, School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies Advisory Board

   Purdue Global

   Jul 2023 — Present

   The School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies supports the academic, social, personal, and professional development of learners throughout their engagement with the University. It also provides a learning experience that is engaging, enjoyable, and applicable to students\' personal and professional lives while preparing students to meet expectations in chosen fields of study. Purdue Global is committed to professional and career preparation for all graduates. As an institution and an educational community, we commit to graduating “thinkers who can work and workers who can think.”

Education

• United States Military Academy at West Point

  BS

• Virginia Tech

  MA

• Harvard University Graduate School of Education

  Institute for Management and Leadership in Education

• University of Virginia

  PhD

• Murray State University

  MPA