Macon State College MVPs is a web feature that profiles notable students, alumni, faculty and staff.
Chris Tsavatewa is a recent recipient of the Outstanding Service Award given to one Macon State faculty member each year.
Full Name: Christopher Chippewa Tsavatewa.
Hometown: Born in Stuart, Fla., grew up in western North Carolina and south Georgia.
Residence: Macon.
Family: Wife, Dallas J. Roper, J.D. (Macon State College public service degree alumna); children – “One on the way: T-minus 11 weeks!” - Henry Wyatt Tsavatewa.
Job Title: Assistant professor of health service administration.
Degrees: Bachelor of science in public service, Macon State; master of public health – community health, Mercer University School of Medicine; doctorate of philosophy in administration-health services (in progress), University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Year he joined the Macon State faculty: 2008.
Some of his teaching career highlights are … “There are so many. Last year was a whirlwind. While I was honored to receive the college’s Outstanding Faculty Service Award and the MSC National Society of Leadership and Success Excellence in Teaching Award, nothing motivates an academic more than the emails from former students that say ‘you were actually right - we do need to know this stuff!’ or ‘I feel prepared for graduate school’ or ‘if you were to go back to school what tech would you buy…?’”
He enjoys teaching at Macon State College because … "I get to work with dedicated faculty and staff who contribute to the legacy and believe in the potential of this institution. As a student organization advisor I get to engage students in their interests, whether it is developing a soccer club, hosting a health expo, or implementing a health communication/marketing campaign.”
His favorite course to teach is … “I enjoy all my courses. Some students might even say my enthusiasm needs to be throttled down a bit, but if I had to choose one, I would pick Public Administration and Healthcare. This elective in fundamental health policy allows me to exercise my inner historian. We cover everything from evolution of the health care system, federal/state/local government roles in health care, financing mechanisms, cost control, and governance to justice and access, health care reform, bioethics, public policy, and interest group theory.”
Something people don’t know about Macon State is … "People don't seem to know about the underground tunnels, the petting zoo, or the ice skating rink – wait, I’m thinking about my house! One thing people don’t know about Macon State is that cafeteria has excellent fried chicken on Wednesday!”
One thing people don’t know about him is … “I am a lifelong geography buff. In grade school, I went to the National Geographic Society Geography Bee State Finals and finished in the top ten. Just ask me: Which Ukrainian peninsula extends into the Black Sea?”
In his spare time he likes to … “What spare time? Okay, I'll bite. Watch TV, listen to audio books, cook, play golf, eat at Johnny V’s, and travel.”
The one person he’d most like to meet is … “Since I am the ultimate Apple fanboy I have to say the late Steve Jobs. The fathers of the personal computing era will always be remembered for fundamentally changing the way people interact with technology. Apple’s philosophies, strategies, or innovations somehow windup in my lectures weekly. I can always find a connection to healthcare.”
If he wasn’t a college professor he would … “Proudly wear the moniker of ex-pat in the Caribbean where I'd own a beach front resort. I would be widely known as the tour guide who rode a Vespa, spoke the best English, and accepted PayPal.”