Christopher D. Lantz

Christopher D. Lantz, Ed.D., serves as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Health and Human Services at UNCW. With nearly 30 years in higher education, 23 of which have been in various leadership roles, he coordinates and manages curriculum development, enrollment, educational quality assessment and improvement, accreditation processes, summer programming, and academic support for faculty. Before becoming the Associate Dean, he served the college as the School Director of Health and Applied Human Sciences. Prior to arriving at UNCW, he was a tenured professor and chair of the Department of Health and Exercise Sciences at Truman State University. Before his career in higher education, he developed and directed a hospital-based community wellness center, underscoring his commitment to public health and wellness.

CliftonStrengths: Relator | Belief | Connectedness | Arranger | Responsibility

Education

Ed.D. in Sport Behavior, West Virginia University
M.A. in Sport Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
B.A. in Psychology, West Virginia Wesleyan College

Professional Service

Former President, Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 2002 – 2012

Community Engagement

Board Chair, American Red Cross, Cape Fear Chapter
Board Member, paws4people Foundation
Member, Blue Ribbon Commission’s Health and Wellness Committee

Honors & Awards

James F. Merritt Million Dollar Club, UNCW, 2024
This honor recognizes faculty and staff who have secured $1 million or more in external research funding. Dr. Lantz was co-principal investigator and primary author of the Healthcare Transformation Project generously funded by the New Hanover Community Endowment in the amount of $10,265,000. The project addresses critical healthcare workforce challenges in New Hanover County.
Robert M. Taylor Professional Service Honor, MOAHPERD, 2005
MOAHPERD Scholar of the Year, 2001