About Dr. Christopher S. Dennis

Dr. Christopher S. Dennis is an author, educator, and leadership consultant whose work sits at the intersection of ambition, belonging, and the emotional cost of achievement. A national expert in human-centered governance and leadership transitions, he helps individuals and institutions navigate what he calls "Lonely Graduation", the quiet, disorienting moment after success when purpose must be redefined.

Guiding Leaders Through the Moment After the Milestone

With more than two decades of experience across K–12 and higher education, Dr. Dennis currently serves as the Associate Head of School at Campbell Hall School in Studio City, California. His career includes influential leadership roles at the Collegiate School of New York, Scripps College, and Bowdoin College, where he has supported students, faculty, leaders, and communities through growth, crisis, and institutional change.

Research, Scholarship & Governance

Dr. Dennis is the creator of Culturally Affirming Independent School Board Governance (CAISBG), a groundbreaking framework that centers identity, voice, and stewardship in board decision-making. His forthcoming book, Lonely Graduation, expands this work by illuminating the emotional realities behind achievement, particularly for first-generation professionals, high achievers, and leaders of color.

A Career Rooted in Access, Equity & Becoming

His professional journey began at Concordia University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he supported urban learners through the Student of Color Retention Program and served as an instructor in the Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center. He later worked in admissions, athletics, counseling, and academic affairs, always with a commitment to helping individuals discover their resilience and rewrite their stories of success.

Dr. Dennis has also spent over a decade advancing diverse student access through organizations such as A Better Chance, Inc. The National Black MBA Association has recognized his leadership, and he received the Reveta Bowers Legacy Award in 2023 for his contributions to education and equity.

Boards & Leadership Impact

He currently serves on:

Educational Advisory Board for TeachAAPI
Board of Directors for the California Teacher Development Collaborative (CATDC)
Academy of the Mind Charter School Board

A Leadership Philosophy Rooted in Humanity

Whether working with students, school boards, leadership teams, or executives, Dr. Dennis leads with joy, grace, and authenticity. His work challenges communities to honor the emotional realities behind visible success and to build systems grounded in integrity, care, and belonging.

“Success is not a finish line. It is a transition, and no one should have to navigate that transition alone.”