Dr. Chase Catalano (he/him) is an associate professor of Higher Education at Virginia Tech. With approximately 15 years of professional experience in student affairs at an array of institutions and functional areas, he earned both his Ed.D. (Social Justice Education) and M.Ed. (Higher Education Administration) are from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research explores liberatory possibilities with a focus on trans students, LGBTQ+ social justice educational interventions (e.g., Safe Zones/Safe Space trainings), and trans and queer center(ed) diversity workers.

His publications have appeared in journals such as Journal of College Student Development, Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, Journal of Student Affairs Research & Practice, The Review of Higher Education, and TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly. Chase’s joy for collaboration is apparent in his co-edited volumes such as Readings for Diversity and Social Justice (Routledge, 2018), Envisioning a Critical and Liberatory Approach to Trans and Queer Center(ed) Diversity Work (Peter Lange, 2025) and Advising and Supporting in Student Affairs (Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 2021). Chase was recognized as an ACPA Emerging Scholar and Annuit Coeptis Emerging Professional Award in 2018. He resides in southwest Virginia with his partner Stephanie and their two adorable dogs.