Faces of Global: Education and Community Leader Dr. Christina Agvent

Dr. Agvent Serves as CSU Global’s Master’s of Teaching and Learning Program Director

Educator. Community Builder. Consultant. Business Owner. Student Champion.

In 2021, CSU Global welcomed a new Program Director for the Master’s of Teaching and Learning (MSTL) program: Dr. Christina Agvent. Agvent has worn many hats as an educator over the last 30 years, and has had the privilege of working with students of all ages, from pre-K to graduate-level. 

A turning point came in Agvent’s career when she was appointed the director of a primary school. “When I took the position, I always likened it to taking the helm of the Titanic because the school was sinking. A lot of what I did was to involve the community and get the school recognized within the community, through partnerships, different types of initiatives, and bringing people in.” 

Agvent then turned her sights to higher education, accepting an adjunct faculty position at an established private university. With an undergraduate degree in elementary education, a master’s in technology, while pursuing a PhD in adult learning and development and a specialization in training and development, she had begun writing STEM-based courses for early childhood education with a focus on nature-based learning. “I was able to start integrating my interests, such as nature and community building, into the work I was doing at the university and with our partner organizations.” Next, Agvent moved to the university’s Master’s of Education program, overseeing core curriculum and the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) specialization because of her background in teaching Spanish. 

“I am someone who believes in the value and the benefits of community.”

A Passion for Underserved Students

Throughout Agvent’s career, the community aspect remained at the forefront of her work. “[My previous] university was located in a city with a very diverse community. I started working with secondary education schools and began pitching community initiatives to the university that wouldn’t cost much, but would make tremendous differences in the lives of the people who lived around us.” One of her initiatives was a mentorship program where local high school students came to campus once a month, which not only introduced students to a college setting, but helped them forge valuable relationships. These students were first-generation learners, and by bringing them into a college community and providing educational opportunities for the parents, she helped open the door for future educational pursuits. 

Agvent also built a dual-enrollment program with a high school in New Haven, Conn., which grew to have a national presence. “Our whole philosophy was that every student would at least take one college course before they graduated. And that maybe, just maybe, this would inspire them to go to college.” But that wasn’t enough for Agvent, so she expanded the program so students could earn an associate degree in business or pre-law at their high school graduation. “It was amazing. After the first full year at the original charter school, every single kid in my school went to college,” she shared.

“I believe that everyone should have access to higher education, be that a college, university, or professional or vocational school. Helping students find their pathway has been the most rewarding part of my dual-enrollment experiences.”

Next, Agvent tackled a comprehensive transition program for students with special needs, ranging basic life skills to extra support during the transition to college. For others, it was support during a career transition—learning how to use public transportation, how to interview, complete internships, and work within the community. Agvent recognizes that she has been lucky by working with organizations that have supported her efforts to advance underserved populations. 

Because of her intensive involvement in creating innovative partnerships and programs, Agvent assumed the role of Director of Strategic partnerships at her previous university, where her focus expanded to building relationships with corporations and small businesses. For example, she began to create training and learning opportunities for The Bigelow Tea Company’s warehouse employees; they primarily spoke Spanish and needed basic English skills to be successful in the workforce. “Program development and evaluation was my PhD specialization. It all just came together in this great opportunity.”

Building Community Virtually

When COVID-19 surfaced, Agvent turned to consulting work, focusing on partnering with organizations that were interested in creating co-learning communities, micro-schools and other innovative models of education. In addition to assisting others with starting their programs, Agvent presented at conferences and conducted research on self-directed learning. She began to feel the urge to return to a university setting and continue her work with future and established teachers, and adult education professionals. This is what led her to join CSU Global as the university’s Program Director of the Master’s of Teaching and Learning program. Agvent is currently exploring the program’s coursework while creating and growing a sense of community across the university. She continues to ask herself, “How are we bringing our online students together? How are we encouraging them to connect and collaborate?”

“I’ve always seen my job as a way to connect with the community and to give back.”

Agvent wants to duplicate those efforts with her peers. “If faculty need assistance with rubrics or writing program outcomes, that’s something the MSTL program can help with. We’ll put together a lunch-and-learn session or a webinar—whatever it takes to start giving and doing.”

An engaging leader, Agvent looks forward to connecting with both faculty and staff across the university. “I want that feedback. I want that collaboration. I want to know that I’m doing things in the best way possible for our students, and ultimately, for the university. If our students aren’t happy, if our faculty aren’t happy,  that impacts student success. If we can build each other up, and help each other knock down silos, it ultimately benefits our students. That’s what we’re about.”