College of Education

Education

• Ph.D., Educational Leadership, Eastern Michigan University
• Graduate Certificate, Academic Advising, Eastern Michigan University
• Graduate Certificate, Community College Leadership, Eastern Michigan University
• M. A., Educational Leadership, Eastern Michigan University
• B.M., Music Therapy, Western Michigan University

Biography

Dr. Lancaster has been the Director of Student Support, Teacher Preparation Unit since 2013. In this role, she oversees student advising and coordinates retention efforts. With a focus on student success, she advocates for students by addressing their immediate needs while also  empowering them with skills to navigate academic challenges and obstacles. In addition, she cultivates a community of collaboration among students and the department’s skilled team of teacher preparation advisors. Currently a doctoral candidate in educational leadership, Dr. Lancaster’s dissertation research explorers student engagement, perceptions of belonging and the impact on persistence and student success in higher education. In both practice and scholarship, she is passionate about creating environments that improve retention and program completion.

Dr. Lancaster has extensive experience working in higher education. She has been at EMU since 1998, initially holding positions in the Office of Admission and Office of Continuing Education. Christine relocated to the College of Education in 2000 as Coordinator, Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program and has held a number of leadership and coordination roles in the college. She also served as the Coordinator of Advising for a number of years before transitioning into her current leadership role. In 2013, the National Academic Advising Association recognized Dr. Lancaster for her contributions to the field of academic advising for education majors.

Interests and Expertise

Research Interests

• Student retention, academic persistence, cultivating ‘belonging’

Publications and Presentations

Selected Publications

• Lancaster, C.L., Smith, C., Boyer, K. (2011). Tying recruitment to retention: An advisor’s role in working with underrepresented populations. Academic Advising Today 34(2).

Selected Presentations

• Lancaster, C.L. (2017). Examining the Use of Qualitative Research to Inform the Field of Academic Advising. Eastern Michigan University Graduate Research Fair, Ypsilanti, MI.
• Lancaster, C.L., Desmore, K., Lisiecki, J. Thornbladh, M., Wilson, K. (2016). Jumping Over the Testing Hurdle: Student Retention Strategies to Help Teacher Candidates Succeed. Annual meeting of the National Academic Advising Association, Atlanta, GA.
• Lancaster, CL., Desmore, K., Eastman A.E., Sauer, R. (2011). Hot Topics: Accreditation, Retention, and the Many Hats of Education Advisors. The annual meeting of NACADA The Global Community for Academic Advising, Denver, CO.
• Lancaster, C.L., Lewis-White, L. Peterson, D. Sauer, R. (2010). Hot Topics: Creating success advising education majors. The annual meeting of the National Academic Advising Association, Orlando, FL.
• Lancaster, C.L. (2009). Advising Education Majors. The annual meeting of the National Academic Advising Association.,San Antonio, TX.
• Peterson, D., Downs, C., Kem, L., Lancaster, C.L. (2009). The Role of Advisors in Recruitment. The annual meeting of the National Academic Advising Association, San Antonio, TX.
• Lancaster, C.L., Eastman, A.E., Fricke, G., Martin, M., Sauer, R., (2008). Preparing for NCATE Accreditation. The annual meeting of the National Academic Advising Association, Chicago, Illinois.