Charlie Runyan

Director of Tartan Scholars Program

Bio

Charlie Runyan began his tenure as Director of the Tartan Scholars Program at Carnegie Mellon University in March 2023. In this role, he collaborates with campus stakeholders to set the program's strategic direction and provides leadership to all aspects of this four-year program that supports nearly 400 high-achieving students from backgrounds historically excluded from elite higher education institutions. Prior to CMU, Charlie’s career spanned a variety of settings, including public and private schools at secondary and post-secondary levels and community-based organizations. A licensed professional school counselor, Charlie earned a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University, a Master of Arts from Michigan State University, and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Dayton. He is currently pursuing his doctorate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in Diversity and Equity in Education.

In his spare time, Charlie enjoys the outdoors, trying new foods and restaurants, vacillating between reality TV and the news, and spending time with his husband, three dogs, and cat.

A surprising thing about me: I'm an only child, I have more than 10 tattoos

My favorite quote: "Don't dream it; be it"

My favorite song: Unstoppable by Sia

My favorite movie: Too many to name

My favorite place in Pittsburgh: Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve 

I'm a fan of...: Food/cuisine, sports team, hobbies, etc. College sports, theater, all foods but particularly Asian and Central American foods