Speaker
Christina Olstad
Dean of Students, UW–Madison
Dr. Christina Olstad has served in various roles in student affairs and has nearly 25 years of experience in higher education administration, residential life and housing, student activities, and leadership development. She received undergraduate and master’s degrees in social work at Augsburg University and an EdD in educational leadership and policy studies at the University of Vermont. Prior to joining UW–Madison, Dr. Olstad served as the Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at Towson University in Towson, Maryland. She held previous positions at Augsburg University, University of New England, University of Vermont, and Semester at Sea. Her academic interests include social justice education, developing intercultural competence, supporting students in recovery, financial literacy, crisis response, and creating innovative approaches to retention and persistence to graduation. Outside of work she enjoys working out, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Speaking in
Frayed Narratives of Belonging: Exploring Complex Stories of Identity and Inclusion
Dean of Students Christina Olstad and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Fernie Rodriguez will reflect on and share their experiences and lessons learned as queer leaders from working with and supporting marginalized communities. They will offer valuable insights and considerations for practitioners navigating the intersection of identity, personal values, and their roles as institutional representatives.
Session Objectives
- Share insights on lived experiences from queer leaders navigating identities, values, and professional expectations
- Share two journeys of diverse professionals’ experience in leadership roles
- Share values, skills, and knowledge to support building inclusive student services