Christian received a bachelor of science degree from the
University of Kerala in
Kerala, India. She earned her master of science in applied mathematics from the
University of Southern California. She earned her EdD from the
University of California, Los Angeles. In 1991, she began her career at
Bakersfield College as a mathematics professor. During her 12 years at Bakersfield College, she also served as division chair, then Dean of Science, Engineering, Allied Health, and Mathematics. In 2003, Christian was named Associate Vice President for Instruction at
Lane College in
Eugene, Oregon. She later became Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs and Chief Academic Officer. During her tenure, she focused her work on student success with equity. In 2015, those efforts were rewarded when Bakersfield College's "Making it Happen" program was named a 2015 Exemplary Program by the Board of Governors of
California Community Colleges. The California Community Colleges honored Bakersfield College with the 2018 Chancellor's Student Success Award for its work with High-Touch, High-Tech Transfer Pathways. That program was also honored in 2019, when Bakersfield College was named a 2019 Innovation of the Year Award winner. Also in 2019, Bakersfield College was named as a recipient of the
Council for Higher Education Accreditation International Quality Group's CIQG Quality Award for the college's work in improving student outcomes. Christian also served as Chair of the
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (2020-2022). She was appointed by the
Governor to the Student Centered Funding Formula Oversight Committee, where she served from 2018-2022. She currently serves on the boards for the Campaign for College Opportunity and Equity in Policy Implementation Board, and is the Chair of the California Community College's Women's Caucus. On April 19, 2021, the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees announced that Christian would become the district's 10th chancellor, beginning her term in July 2021. == Awards and accolades ==