Christa Lee-Chuvala
Dean, College of Business and Leadership; Associate Professor, PhD Program in Organizational Leadership
ELC 212
christa.lee-chuvala@eastern.edu
Dr. Christa Lee-Chuvala is the Dean of the College of Business and Leadership. She is also an Associate Professor in the PhD in Organizational Leadership program, teaching courses on quantitative research methods and serving as chair and methodologist for numerous dissertation committees.
Dr. Lee-Chuvala has been at Eastern since 2017. Prior to becoming Dean, she taught economics, business statistics, quantitative research methods, and leadership to undergraduate, MBA, and PhD students. She also directed the Leadership Fellows Program (a scholarship and leadership development program for undergraduate students) and served as co-chair for the planning process that resulted in Eastern’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan.
Dr. Lee-Chuvala’s professional experience outside of academia has been oriented toward urban economics and community and economic development. Early in her career, she ran educational and job-readiness programs for children and teenagers in Buffalo, New York. After obtaining her master’s degree, she worked as a research associate at the Institute for International Urban Development (IIUD) on various economic development projects sponsored by the World Bank, UN HABITAT, and other funders. Before coming to Eastern, she co-directed the Boston Faith & Justice Network, an organization that focuses on economic discipleship and brings Christians together to link radical generosity to just action for the purpose of poverty alleviation.
Education
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.U.P. Harvard University
B.A. Taylor University
Research Interests
Leadership for social innovation and social change; the economics of social transformation.
Why I Chose Eastern
I chose Eastern because Eastern is unique in the landscape of Christian colleges and universities in that it allows for diversity of belief within a broader commitment to Christ and God’s reign on earth. This diversity allows for respectful dialogue and learning. Eastern is also unique in its long legacy of bringing faith, reason, and justice together, both in the classroom and in faculty and students’ engagement off-campus. I am thankful for the institution’s history of advocating for justice for those who have experienced poverty and oppression. Finally, Eastern students are changing the world! Everywhere I go, I meet or hear about Eastern graduates who are working to create a positive social impact, and I am proud to be connected to them through this institution.
Courses Taught
Introduction to Leadership, Quantitative Research Methods, Advanced Quantitative Research Methods, Advocacy and Public Policy, Essentials of Economics, Economics of Social Transformation, Data-Informed Decision Making, Business Statistics, Evaluating Social Impact, Applied Research and Program Evaluation.
Publications
Recent Publications, Presentations, and Articles:
Spicer, J., & Lee-Chuvala, C. (2020). Ownership and mission drift in alternative enterprises: The case of a social banking network, Research in the Sociology of Organizations, 67
“Dynamic Leader/ship Development Model.” With Kyle Zieba. Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference (EQRC), Las Vegas, February 24-25, 2020.
“Alternative Enterprises and a Hierarchy of Ownership? Evidence from the Values-Based Banking Movement.” With Jason Spicer. Annual Meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics, New York, June 27-29, 2019.
“Leadership Development Among Business and Nonprofit Leaders.” Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference (EQRC), Las Vegas, February 24-26, 2019.
Glasmeier, A. and Lee-Chuvala, C. (2011). Austerity in America: Gender and community consequences of restructuring the public sector.” Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy, and Society, 4(3): 457-474.
Professional Associations & Service
- International Leadership Association
- Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics
Grants & Professional Developments
The 2019 Hatfield Prize from the Center for Public Justice (student-faculty research prize)