Sam Chaltain

Sam’s work focuses on how individuals and organizations can find and tell stories that capture the emotional center of an idea; build and sustain an audience of supporters over time (as opposed to merely generating awareness); and leverage both traditional and new media in order to expand an ideological base of support. After embedding with our students and faculty for a year, Sam wrote a piece that was featured on the blog Getting Smart, called A Year of Grace.

Sam’s writings about his work have appeared in both magazines and newspapers, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Education Week and USA Today. A periodic contributor to CNN and Huffington Post, Sam is the author or co-author of six books. He is also a co-producer of the PBS documentary film, 180 Days: Hartsville; and the 10-part online film series, A Year at Mission Hill.

Sam has a Master’s degree in American Studies from the College of William & Mary, and an M.B.A. from George Washington University, where he specialized in non-profit management and organizational theory. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he graduated with a double major in Afro-American Studies and History.