Chris Hawk, MSW, LCSW

Chris’ deep knowledge of the needs and potential of the whole student is rooted in his wide-ranging experience in traditional day and boarding schools and therapeutic programs. His career in education began as a “triple threat” faculty member at The New Hampton School in New Hampshire, where he taught history, coached and supervised students in the dorm. He also created and implemented New Hampton’s outdoor experiential education program, a passion that would lead him to relocate to Utah, his now permanent home, and work in the field of adventure, experiential and wilderness therapy. Chris served in a number of roles at The Oakley School, a co-ed therapeutic boarding high school in Oakley, Utah, from classroom teacher and Student and Residential Life Director to wilderness counselor and clinician. Chris then went on to use his knowledge of students, families, teaching and curricula, faculty professional development, and school systems as a school leader and administrator. He served as Assistant Head and Middle School Director at Park City Day School in Park City, Utah and as Assistant Head of School Programs and Services at Wasatch Academy in Pleasant, Utah. Chris is also a therapist and continues to work with adolescents in his private practice.

Chris’ natural warmth and great sense of humor immediately put his students at ease. His understanding of the inner-workings of schools and therapeutic programs informs Chris’ process of finding the best fit for his McMillan Education students. Likewise, Chris’ work with college-aged students for over 20 years as an educator and clinician has helped him add a reassuring and personal touch to the process of guiding struggling young adults toward transitional programs where they find the unique environment and support they need to successfully re-enter college and/or work.

Chris attended Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in sociology and human relations at Connecticut College, where he also played ice hockey and served as captain of his collegiate team. After playing professional hockey in Germany, Chris returned to the U.S. and pursued his certificate in secondary education at Kalamazoo College before beginning his teaching career. Chris later earned his master’s degree in Social Work at The University of Denver and completed the Chemical Dependency Counseling Program at The University of Utah.

A native of Michigan, Chris remains a diehard Red Wings fan. He is the proud dad of two young boys, Liam and Finn and yellow lab Boss. Chris lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, and works closely with our Boston, Maine, and international offices to serve McMillan Education families from all over the U.S. and around the world. If Chris isn’t spending his free time playing with his boys, you can be sure to find him skiing, hiking, camping, biking, or fishing in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with his sidekick Boss.