Christopher R. Marsicano, the Assistant Professor of Educational Studies and Public Policy and Founding Director of the College Crisis Initiative (C2i) at Davidson College will be the featured speaker at the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce Annual Education Luncheon Thursday, February 15, 2024 11:45 am until 1:15 pm at Northstone Country Club 15801 Northstone Drive in Huntersville.

At that meeting, the Chamber will also present the Outstanding Educator for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), Charter Schools, and Private Schools along with the “Inspire our Future” Award to the Lake Norman business or corporation that promotes career placement and vocational education.

The cost to attend the luncheon is $35 per person and the program is presented by Atrium Health. Supporting Sponsors include the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Business Today / Cornelius Today, and WSICnews.

Chamber members and guest can register online at Education PowerLuncheon or call the Chamber at 704-892-1922.

Marsicano's presentation will focus on the "Politics of Education" and how public policy shapes our educational infrastructure from K-12 through higher education.

Marsicano’s research examines public policy and postsecondary education with a special focus on how higher education institutions behave as political actors to impact the policymaking process. He is also interested in how state-and-local-level political decisions impact higher education institutions. As director of C2i, Marsicano’s expanded research portfolio includes working on the public health issues surrounding higher education innovation in the COVID-19 crisis.

The research has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals such as the Educational Researcher and Research in Higher Education, and peer-reviewed government and policy publications like the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

His other work has been featured in many national and international media outlets including InsideHigherEd, Times Higher Education, The Chronicle of Higher Education, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times.

Chris Marsicano earned his PhD from Vanderbilt University, and holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Duke University.