Tom Christensen joined the faculty of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Department of Physics and Energy Science in 1989. He served the campus as a faculty member, department chair, Associate Dean and Dean. He also served as the co-director of the UCCSTeach program for preparing future secondary science and math teachers. He became the UCCS Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs on July 1, 2017. He received his B.S. degrees in Physics and Astrophysics from the University of Minnesota in 1979 and completed a Ph.D. in Applied Physics at Cornell University in 1985. He worked at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM before coming to UCCS.

Dr. Christensen received both the College (1993) and campus (1996) Outstanding Teaching Awards, the Chancellor's Award (2003) to recognize his service and teaching, and the University of Colorado Excellence in Leadership Award (2015). Dr. Christensen's research in experimental surface physics has led to 21 published papers in international science journals and over 90 presentations at scientific meetings. He has been the principal investigator on over $2 million in research grants and contracts for work in surface physics and in science education. He has taught 25 different classes at UCCS at all levels from introductory classes for non-majors to graduate level classes. He serves his primary professional society on national Education and Diversity committees. In his spare time, Dr. Christensen plays string bass with the Pikes Peak Philharmonic orchestra and bass guitar with the Physics Classic Rock and Roll Orchestra.