Christine M. Cress

Christine M. Cress serves as Professor of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Service-Learning in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at Portland State University's College of Education. She directs a master's degree specialization and graduate certificate in civic engagement while facilitating international service-learning initiatives at Lady Doak College in Madurai, India. Her global impact spans trainings on civic engagement integration across North America, the Caribbean, Europe, Japan, and India.

Dr. Cress's research focuses on cognitive, cultural, pedagogical, and evaluation dimensions of community-based learning, emphasizing community partners as co-educators and cross-cultural implementation of service-learning. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications for academic disciplines and institutional contexts.

Her influential publications establish foundational knowledge in service-learning pedagogy, with particular emphasis on student outcomes, faculty development, and sustainable community partnerships across diverse educational settings.

Key recognition includes:

• Fulbright Scholar appointment at Middle East Technical University, Turkey

Dr. Cress has held significant leadership roles including five years as Department Chair of Educational Leadership and Policy, membership in the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Leadership Reconsidered project, curriculum design for the Carnegie Foundation's Faculty Fellows Program, and educational coaching for Puerto Rico's Department of Education. She maintains ongoing consultation with Campus Compact while balancing her professional achievements with family life as mother to Beau and Suraj.