Chris grew up in Bronx, New York, where his uncle—an ecology enthusiast who worked in the reptile house of the Bronx Zoo—introduced him to a fascinating world of exotic creatures as well as the wonders of nature hiding in plain sight. He wants to pass forward that thrill of discovery and curiosity to young learners who yearn to look beyond city walls and digital screens. Chris recently retired from a career as head of corporate communications and public relations at Temple University Health System. He taught evening classes at Temple University for 15 years, at Villanova University for 12 years before that, and continues his passion for teaching at Delaware County Community College. Chris earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in Speech Communication from Penn State and a bachelor’s degree in Communication from SUNY Buffalo. More importantly, his pet box turtle, Shelly, has been with him for 34 years and counting.Â
