Christa Spielman

134 University Village

Salt Lake City, UT 84108
ckspielman@gmail.com
651-276-1281

Education
University of Utah
Degree Type:
Field of Study:
GPA:

August 2013 - May 2015 (Expected)

Master of Education
Educational Leadership and Policy
4.0

Saint Marys University

Field of Study:
GPA:

September 2010 - December 2011

Marriage & Family Therapy
4.0

Saint Cloud State University

Degree Type:
Fields of Study:
GPA:
Honors:

August 2006 - December 2009

Bachelor of Science
Community Psychology & Chemical Dependency
3.93
Summa Cum Laude

Teaching Experience
Gender Studies Instructor at the University of Utah
University of Utah
Salt Lake City
August 2014 - Present
I teach a Gender Studies course titled: Gender and Social Change. The goal of this course is
for students to understand how intersecting systems of oppression (specifically related to
gender) shape the personal experiences of individuals in society as well as shape the ways in
which inequality is resisted through social change and transformation. Through the course
material, students begin to understand gender in relation to other social formations such as
race, class, sexuality, nation, etc. The course material explores how definitions of gender
change, against the background of the contemporary United States.
Guest Lecturer at the University of Utah
As a guest lecturer, I am invited to speak to various classes on campus about my personal
experiences with identifying as a gender fluid lesbian. By sharing my narrative and identities
with these students, I facilitate educational and informative discussions to create greater
understanding of the sexual orientation and gender identities of LGBTQIA* individuals.
Safe Zone Facilitator at the University of Utah

As a Safe Zone Facilitator, I deliver the SafeZone curriculum to students, staff and faculty.
The curriculum focuses on terminology, current issues affecting the LGBTQIA community,
privilege exercises, and understanding the dynamics of gender and sexual orientation.

Research Experience
Association for Mexican American Educators (AMAE) manuscript reviewer at the
University of Utah
As a reviewer, I read manuscripts and provided feedback on strengths as well as suggested
areas of improvement to a special journal issue focusing on Latinos/Latinas and affirmative
action.
Peer-reviewed Conference Presentation at the 2014 Utah NASPA Conference
My presentation proposal was reviewed and accepted for the 2014 conference. The title of
my program was: The Diversity Goodie Bag: Reclaiming Race Dialogue within
Multiculturalism. As a presenter, I analyzed the multiculturalism/diversity movement and
explored student social experiences that unconsciously remain absent within diversity
dialogue. Utilizing a critical race framework, I discussed how power and privilege dynamics
impact student persistence and belonging.

Leadership
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Advisory Board Member at the University
of Utah
The goal of the LGBT advisory board is to provide resources, a safe environment for student
interaction, and outreach programs that will educate the university community in regard to
sexual orientation and gender identity. As an advisory board member, I partake in exploring
ways to make the University of Utah campus a more accessible, welcoming, and equitable
environment, especially for LGBTQIA* students, faculty, and staff.
Founder of the Feminist Underground Network (F.U.N) at the University of Utah
I helped create the Feminist Underground Network as a way to provide education about what
feminism is, what it means to be a feminist, and how to engender multicultural feminist
pedagogy. I created a safe, welcoming environment for students, faculty, and staff to learn
from each other using socially just feminist ideologies.
Pride Planning Committee Member at the University of Utah
The Pride Planning Committee is dedicated to serving the needs of and advocating for the
LGBT community through educational events, community outreach, and celebrating
diversity. I was integral in developing the theme for 2014 Pride Week, which was: Imagine
U: Beyond Marriage, Moving Forward. I wanted to acknowledge the importance of marriage
equality while also keeping the focus on other imperative inequities within the LGBTQIA
community, such as homelessness, healthcare, housing, and undocumented queer individuals.

Professional Employment/Experience

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center Intern

University of Utah, Salt Lake City
May 2014 - August 2014
As an intern at the LGBT Resource Center, I facilitated Safe Zone trainings, workshops, and
LGTQIA panels, as well as participated in the promotion, education, and development of
programs centering on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Graduate Assistant at the University of Utahs Womens Resource Center (WRC)
University of Utah, Salt Lake City
August 2013 - Present
As a graduate assistant at the WRC, I supervise the Go Girlz Community Initiative, where I
lead empowerment programming for marginalized girls in the Salt Lake City school district.
I am also involved with the Womens Resource Center's U START: Student Access and
Retention Initiative. As a mentor for our sponsored students I help them get acquainted with
campus resources, provide programming to help foster student wellness and development,
and assist with achieving learning outcomes in their Gender Studies class. I am the lead
researcher for the centers collaboration with the Womens Enrollment Initiative, where I
compare the data on womens enrollment and retention across the various Pac-12 schools and
investigate scholarship on how to best support women-identified individuals in higher
education.
Service Manager
Company Name:
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Location:
Maplewood, MN
Dates:
December 2009 - July 2013
As a manager at Chipotle, I was in charge of hiring, training, and developing future leaders of
the company while upholding the company's values, standards, and expectations for food and
people culture. During the last half year of employment, I successfully ran the restaurant
without management oversight.
Academic Resource Mentor
Company Name:
Saint Cloud State University
Location:
Saint Cloud, MN
Dates:
August 2007 - May 2009
As an Academic Resource Mentor, I mentored first year college students in both academic
and social activities. I expertly handled transition fears and concerns by conducting
integration training sessions and holding weekly meetings. I also helped students with career
exploration using campus and community resources.

Campus Service
Holistic Admissions Focus Groups at the University of Utah
The Director of Inclusive Excellence at the University of Utah hosted several focus groups to
address the admission process. As a part of the focus groups, I participated in discussions
about how to make admissions more holistic, developed strategies for the recruitment of

underrepresented students, and established goals for the admissions and enrollment
departments for making the campus more welcoming and affirming for minority students.
LGBT Focus Groups at the University of Utah
The aim of these focus group was to assess the climate for LGBTQIA* identified students on
the University of Utah campus. Through discussion questions, I along with the other
participants, were able to participate in rich dialogue that allowed moderators to explore
experiences of campus climate through the lens of sexual orientation/gender identity. Issues
of acceptance, inclusion, prejudice, and harassment/discrimination were explored.
Racial Minority Focus Groups as the University of Utah
Increasing the number of minority students and faculty on campus is only the first step
toward improving the campus climate for diversity. The University of Utah utilized focus
groups to address the behavioral and psychological dimensions of campus to increase
minority students sense of belonging. The focus groups ascertained the needs and
experiences of racial minority students who voiced concerns over an unwelcoming climate on
campus. Participating in the focus groups illuminated the fact that raising awareness is
critical. This can include speaking up against microaggressions, or raising awareness about
the institution's past history of exclusion as a means of acknowledging a willingness to take
part in actively illuminating and dismantling practices that are inequitably benefiting one
group over another.
Womens Enrollment Initiative Focus Groups at the University of Utah
The Womens Enrollment Initiative was established to meet the needs of girls and women in
various stages of education from high school to seniors in college. This includes looking at
the recruitment process and working to address retention issues and barriers to graduation.
Focus groups were used to determine what resources are and should be available for female
students, and to learn more about campus climate issues for female-identified individuals.

Awards
Student Affairs Diversity Council Diversity Training Certificate Recipient
The reqirements for receiving the diversity certificate includeded attending three modules
focused on social inequities, attending five diversity speakers series, attending a community
event focused on social justice, and completing a capstone writing project.

Professional Memberships
Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
National Association of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA)
International Association of Student Affairs Services (IASAS)