Chris Carlson

Chris is the WISLI Program Coordinator for the Summer Intensive Portuguese Institute and the new NORD Summer Scandinavian Institute. He is originally from a small town in Alabama, called Gadsden, nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. He comes from a family of academics, with several grandparents, cousins, and siblings that work for colleges in many forms. He hails from a musical and curious family that are lifelong and continual learners, with most of his kin knowing how to play at least one instrument and/or speak one other language (He fell into the musical category picking up the violin at a young age).

He moved to Wisconsin in 2014 for school and job opportunities, fell in love with the State and Madison, and never left! He went to MATC where he received his associates in biological sciences, then transferred to Edgewood College to finish his Bachelors in Conservational Ecology and Biology with a focus in Botany. He has worked for public libraries, colleges, and nonprofits for 10+ years directing departments, writing grants, helping with outreach, and orchestrating programs for these institutions. He has also worked in the public sector for 10+ years as management and floor staff, providing marketing opportunities, scheduling, staffing, product analysis, and customer base retention.