Chris Donald

University Chaplain

Christopher Ross Donald, MDiv, EdD, an experienced college chaplain and higher education administrator, was appointed University Chaplain at Wake Forest in August 2024.

Chris served as college chaplain and director of religious life at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he was instrumental in increasing interfaith activities and dialogue on campus. During his tenure at Millsaps, Chris led several social justice initiatives, such as the Millsaps Challenge, which focused on racial reconciliation within the city of Jackson. He also sponsored Millsaps Pride, an LGBTQ+ student group, and advised the campus Black Student Union. Throughout his career, Donald has proved to be a versatile leader, using his chaplaincy skills in a variety of arenas. He served as project manager of the Initiative for Compassionate Care and Empathic Leadership at the University of Virginia School of Nursing; as pastor of several congregations of The United Methodist Church; and in other church and higher education leadership roles.

Chris received his bachelor’s degree in history and government from the College of William and Mary. He graduated from Duke University with a Master of Divinity, and earned his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration and Policy from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development. He also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), including training in multicultural and multifaith pastoral counseling and care, at the University of Virginia Medical Center.

Chris, his wife Rebecca, are pleased to be home in North Carolina; they and their two young daughters live in Winston-Salem. Chris is an avid fan of Star Trek, science fiction, and pop culture; enjoys cooking, hiking, and camping; loves to watch almost any sport but is generally a bad athlete; and is a passable singer and a poor dancer.