GovState education professor receives Excellence Award
Dr. Christopher Dignam recognized for excellence in teaching and writing
From Staff Reports
From a first-generation high school and college graduate to a celebrated teacher of teachers, Dr. Christopher Dignam is a model for many in Governors State University's (GovState) College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) program and beyond.
“Dr. Dignam is an influential educator and a passionate advocate for transformative leadership. He is a first-generation high school and college graduate, whose own story shows the power of education,” said Dr. Janelle Crowley, Chief of Staff and Head of Strategic Initiatives, when presenting the 2025 Excellence Awards.
As one of three Excellence Award winners, Dr. Dignam brings three decades of experience in PK-12 and higher education to the classroom.
His area of expertise lies in educational leadership, interdisciplinary curriculum design, and innovative pedagogical development across PK-12 and higher education, which influence his teaching style.
“My teaching philosophy is guided by the belief that education flourishes when intellectual rigor is paired with compassion, creativity, and curiosity,” said Dr. Dignam. “Through my course design and instruction, I seek to empower aspiring principals and superintendents to lead with empathy, data-informed vision, and student-centered purpose.”
Receiving an Excellence Award struck an emotional chord for Dr. Dignam, who remembers the impact education had on his life.
“As the son of Irish immigrants and a first-generation college student, education was not merely a pathway but a lifeline,” said Dr. Dignam. “It became my means of transforming adversity into opportunity and turning impossibility into possibly. To be recognized by Governors State University for excellence is not only an acknowledgment of professional merit but a celebration of perseverance, faith in learning, and the transformative power of education.”
He added that this recognition affirms his belief that excellence in education extends beyond the classroom. “Excellence lives in the relationships we build, the curiosity we inspire, and the courage we instill in others to pursue knowledge and truth,” said Dr. Dignam. “I am deeply moved by the opportunity to continue influencing future leaders who will shape the next generation of schools, communities, and learners.”
As a professor at GovState, Dr. Dignam has brought his real-world experiences to the classroom, preparing prolific scholars on campus. He himself has authored 20 peer-review publications and presented at 19 national and international conferences, many of which have been collaborations with GovState colleagues and students.
Some of Dr. Dignam's scholarly research and creative activity explore spectrum topics, like generative AI in education, interdisciplinary leadership, mindfulness and SEL (social and emotional learning), STEM and STEAM, as well as the role of the arts and humanities in leadership development. He looks forward to expanding on his recent publications that explore artificial emotional intelligence (AEI) in education, which is an evolution of AL that emphasizes empathy, ethics, and the human dimensions of technology.
Before he came to GovState, Dr. Dignam led Lane Technical College Prep High School as its principal to be one of the nation’s top performing and largest high schools. He also served as a school superintendent of Township High School District 113.