Biography
Chris Muldrow provides strategic direction and leadership for the Smead Program at the University of Colorado Boulder, the premier scholarship and immersive graduate experience for aerospace PhD candidates. In this role he is responsible for operations, marketing and public outreach, event planning, partnership development, ensuring support for students and faculty, and leading the Smead Scholars Program. Chris also supports the Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences department with strategic planning and alumni relations and is the department’s lead for CU Boulder's AeroSpace Ventures (ASV). ASV is collaborative entity that brings together aerospace-related engineering and earth and space science faculty, students, and industry partners to solve complex problems that lead to new discoveries and innovations.
Chris previously led industry relations at CU Boulder through the Industry & Foundation Relations and Office of Industry Collaboration teams. In these roles he built collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships with industry partners across multiple themes, to include aerospace and defense, environmental sustainability, energy, quantum science and engineering, and biosciences.
Chris’ time at CU has included serving as a Boulder Campus Staff Council (BCSC) representative from 2019-2020, with the second year as BCSC Co-Chair.
Prior to CU Boulder Chris spent 13 years at Lockheed Martin Corporation, with experience in program / project management, strategic and business development leadership, and space systems engineering. Chris is a graduate of the Lockheed Martin Engineering Leadership Development Program and a two-time NOVA awardee, Lockheed Martin’s highest employee honor.
Outside of work Chris enjoys watching and playing sports of all variety (e.g., skiing, ice hockey, mountain biking, stand-up paddle boarding, volleyball, soccer), playing in the great Colorado outdoors, listening to music of all kind, trivia nights, and completing Sunday crosswords.
Chris holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering Sciences and an ME in Engineering Management, both from CU Boulder.
Q&A
What made you decide to pursue a degree or certificate in Engineering Management?
I knew soon after my undergraduate education and starting my technical career that I had interest in the business aspects of engineering. I eyed the program early on, even before I was eligible based on years of experience. After being selected to the Lockheed Martin Engineering Leadership Development Program, which requires all participants obtain a master's degree, I knew the time was right to pursue my EMP degree.
Why did you choose the Engineering Management Program at CU Boulder?
I'm a Buff. After graduating with my BS in Aerospace Engineering Sciences I knew that I would be back to earn my ME through EMP.
How did the program help you in your career?
Having an engineering background with leadership and business education enabled me to move into my desired career path of technical business development. My EMP experience was a significant reason I successfully made this career move.
What advice would you give a new student in the program?
Invest the time to dive into the curriculum and connecting with your fellow students. You'll get out of the EMP what you put in.
How would you summarize your experience with the program?
It was a challenging 3 years to manage a career, young family, and my studies. Sticking with it and investing the time and energy in the EMP was incredibly fulfilling and beneficial to my career.