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Black History Month Profile: Christina Neilson '11

Black History Month Profile: Christina Neilson '11
Posted: Feb 23, 2021

When Christina Neilson '11 graduated from Haverford, her resume stood out as one of the all-time greats in the history of the women's track & field program. Her success was recognized by the entire athletic department as a recipient of the Gregory Kannerstein '63 Award, which is presented to individuals whose outstanding athletic achievement and leadership has been a significant factor in a team's competitive success and has brought distinction not only to the individual but also the entire athletic program.

Neilson, a team captain, was a member of five Centennial Conference Championship teams during her career as the Fords captured three indoor titles and two outdoor titles. During the 2011season, Neilson was named the conference's outstanding track performer following both the indoor and outdoor championships, highlighting a career that saw her win 13 Centennial Conference Championships between the individual events and relays.

Neilson's personal best marks still rank among the program's best to this day as she holds the school record in five outdoor events (100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100 relay, 4x400 relay) and three indoor events (400m, 4x200 relay, 4x400 relay). She additionally graduated as the school record holder in the 60 meter dash and currently ranks second for the indoor 200 meter dash.

Garnering national attention throughout her career, Neilson is the only runner in program history to qualify for the 55 meter dash while concluding her decorated career with a trip to the NCAA Championships in the 400 meters outdoors. All of this success came on top of her being the consummate student-athlete who was recognized on the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team during numerous occasions. Neilson stays connected to the team and recently has spoken with the current Fords about her experiences at Haverford.

Following her memorable four years at Haverford, a semester at Spelman College through Haverford's Domestic Exchange Program, and an undergraduate degree in math, Neilson earned her graduate degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania. While student-teaching at Penn, she adopted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's philosophy of education: "Intelligence plus character- that is the goal of true education." With a passion for designing curriculum that focused on connection and building transferable skills, Neilson taught math in the School District of Philadelphia, Camden School District, and YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School. At YouthBuild, she had the unique opportunity of not just serving as a math teacher, but also as a mentor and skill development facilitator to students, ages 18-21 years old, who were previously disengaged from high school. Having a desire to further explore career opportunities that provide ongoing support and guidance to promote students' success and well-being, she more recently joined the Gateway to College program at The Community College of Philadelphia as an Academic Coordinator.
 
Borrowing from the teaching styles that were observed on campus and within the community, Neilson approaches teaching as a facilitator of learning, guiding students as they worked collaboratively to develop their own understanding of the content through inquiry and discussion. As an educator committed to serving predominantly Black and Brown students, it is her desire to instill a sense of community, confidence, and purpose in my students. She credits the driving force behind her zeal as faith and heart of service. The daughter of a strong Jamaican family of faith, Neilson is deeply rooted and engaged in the church and community. She serves in many capacities as a program coordinator, media coordinator, and administrative assistant within various ministries. During all of her professional ventures, she strives to embody love, faith, and humility.
 
Neilson's experiences consistently reinforce the potential and power of building meaningful and lasting relationships- learning, healing and growing together. With a desire to broaden her horizon and expertise, Neilson is currently pursuing a doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is schedule to begin that cohort at Eastern University in May.

Throughout the month of February, the Haverford College athletic department will be spotlighting former Black student-athletes, featuring their successes both as athletes and after their graduation in celebration of Black History Month.

Scoreboard
  • Mon, 04/22 | Women's Outdoor Track & Field Haverford Tri-Meet No team scores RC | R
  • Sat, 04/20 | Women's Outdoor Track & Field Paul Donahue Invitational No team scores RC | R
  • Sat, 04/13 | Women's Outdoor Track & Field WCU Bill Butler Invite 3rd/21 RC | R
  • Sat, 04/06 | Women's Outdoor Track & Field Ursinus College Track & Field Festival No team scores RC | R
  • Sat, 03/30 | Women's Outdoor Track & Field Danny Curran Invitational No team scores RC | R