Christina Whitfield joined SHEEO in October 2015. She serves as senior vice president and chief of staff, working out of SHEEO’s Washington, D.C. office. Dr. Whitfield leads SHEEO’s efforts to analyze the capacity of state postsecondary data systems, promote their effective use, and provide professional development and technical assistance to researchers, policy analysts, and data practitioners. Dr. Whitfield’s research interests include student employment outcomes, aligning educational programs with workforce needs, transfer, and community college success. As chief of staff, Dr. Whitfield contributes to SHEEO’s strategic direction and is responsible for staff development and for developing SHEEO’s internal policies and procedures.

Dr. Whitfield is a member of the National Center for Education Statistics’ National Postsecondary Education Cooperative. Prior to joining SHEEO, Dr. Whitfield was vice chancellor for research and policy analysis at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). At KCTCS, she led policy analysis, strategic planning, and institutional research for Kentucky’s 16 public two-year institutions. Dr. Whitfield has served on a number of national advisory boards and visiting committees, including for the Aspen Institute, the Association for Institutional Research, the American Association of Community Colleges, Workforce Data Quality Campaign, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Before joining KCTCS, Dr. Whitfield served as senior associate for research and associate for academic affairs at the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.

Dr. Whitfield earned a Ph.D. and an M.A. in history from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Kentucky.