Student Success

Christine Navia is Interim Associate Vice President for Student Success in the University of Wisconsin System Administration. She earned her M.A. and her Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a B.A. in political science from Carleton College. Chris began her tenure at UW System in 2008 as an institutional planner responsible for the coordination of a wide variety of equity-focused efforts, including improving retention and graduation rates for underrepresented students; expanding precollege and summer bridge program offerings; aiding UW institutions in the implementation of their campus climate assessments; and administering grants specifically designed to help UW institutions close opportunity gaps for students of color.

In 2012, Chris left the UW System to work as a higher education consultant in Washington, D.C., where she provided intensive support to other public state systems of higher education in the design and implementation of student success initiatives focused on increasing baccalaureate degree attainment among students of color. Chris returned to the UW System in 2014 as a senior academic planner responsible for the development and approval of new academic programs and policies.

In her current position as Interim Vice President, Chris oversees the Office of Student Success whose central mission is dedicated to advancing the educational success of all UW students. Her direct areas of responsibility include creating a stronger educational pipeline from the K-12 system to college; supporting the design and implementation of student-centered retention and graduation initiatives; and further developing a more seamless system of transfer for students moving between UW institutions. Additionally, Chris serves as the liaison to the UW System’s Senior Student Affairs Officers and Student Reps.