Chris Nelson, Ed.D.: Helping advance the future of STEM

Chris Nelson, Ed.D., a senior project manager on the ORISE STEM Development team, oversees several ORISE-administered research participation programs for college students and recent graduates with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE national laboratories.

Nelson joined ORISE in 2019 after working as a teacher and school administrator in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area. He holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership and management from Drexel University and a master’s degree in project management from Boston University.

In this Staff Spotlight, Nelson shares his favorite part of the job, reflects on his experience as an educator, and offers insight into what inspires him in his work at ORISE.

Tell us about your role on the ORISE STEM Workforce Development team.

I am currently a senior education project manager and manage the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) internship programs, DOE’s Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Pathways to Computing Internship Program and the National Laboratory of the Rockies SMART Industrial Assessment Center internship program. I regularly communicate with participants and sponsors, maintain information for monthly reports, handle any issues that pop up and manage the budget to ensure there is adequate funding for all participants.

What’s your favorite part of working at ORISE?

I would have to say that my favorite part is my colleagues. We all bring something different to the table, whether it is skillset, knowledge, relationships, or experience. All of these individual things that everyone brings are pieces of the giant ORISE puzzle. Seeing all these different pieces come together and complementing each other in a way that allows us to do what we do is amazing. In addition to that, my colleagues are just great people!

What professional accomplishment at ORISE are you most proud of?

I would say that I am most proud of obtaining my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Being part of ORISE and the work I’ve done spurred me to complete a degree in project management and obtain my PMP certification.

What inspires you in your work at ORISE?

I am inspired by knowing that I have a very small part in furthering the future of STEM in this country. Without the opportunities that ORISE provides, there would be stagnation in the development of the STEM workforce of the future.

What was your experience before joining ORISE?

Prior to joining ORISE, I was a teacher, but would not say it was the typical teaching role. Right out of college, I was a teacher at a private, residential treatment facility for youth in state’s custody. I also served as the principal of that school for the last year I was there. After four years, I moved on to run and teach for the Transition Program in Knox County Schools. This program was self-contained and housed in one of the county’s alternative schools. The only students that would enter the program were boys who were exiting the juvenile justice system. Prior to being reintegrated into their regular school, they had to complete the Transition Program as part of their probation. I started pursuing my doctoral degree during my time with KCS. After obtaining my doctorate, I came to ORISE.

As an ORISE thought leader, how do you give back to the STEM community?

I have attended conferences and outreach events promoting ORISE. When I have the opportunity to interact with participants, such as at the MLEF Technical Forum at the end of the program each year, I encourage them to check out other ORISE opportunities they may be interested in and that may align with their goals and interests. I try to promote ORISE and the benefits of ORISE every opportunity I get.

What advice would you give to those who are considering an internship/fellowship opportunity?

I would tell them to take the chance. If you are considering an internship/fellowship opportunity, take the chance and apply. If you are selected and discover it wasn’t what you anticipated, you still have important information for the future. The only thing that is for sure is that if you don’t apply, you’ll never know.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to spend time with my wife and daughter, who is currently 8 months old. We love to travel and take several trips a year; our daughter has already been to two countries and flown on 11 different flights. We are taking her to Disney World at the end of this month, which will be her third Disney trip this year!

What’s one fun fact about you?

I love LEGO and have a very large collection and a backlog of sets that need to be built! I can’t build them fast enough!

For more ORISE staff spotlights, visit the Staff News and Accomplishments section.