Christopher Campbell has been named Executive Director at Plymouth Christian Youth Center (PCYC) in North Minneapolis. He succeeds Anne Long, who served PCYC for 47 years, including over two decades as Executive Director.
Campbell brings to his position more than 15 years of executive experience in the fields of education, youth and community development. He most recently served as the Department of Defense Division Chief for Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS) at Fort Detrick, Maryland. At CYSS Campbell led community, child, and youth operations including child development centers, school liaison programs, before and after-school programs, camps, community youth sports, and special events for children from 6 weeks to 18 years of age. While at CYSS, he was awarded the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, and the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service for demonstrating outstanding qualities of leadership.
Campbell earned his B.A. degree in Psychology from the University of Memphis and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership and policy development at the University of Minnesota.
As Executive Director of PCYC, Campbell will oversee the operations of three dynamic programs: PYC Arts & Technology High School, a contract alternative program managed in partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools; Bright Futures: K-5 Enrichment at PCYC; and the newly renovated and expanded Capri Theater.
“The PCYC board and I are very pleased to welcome Mr. Campbell as our new Executive Director,” said Karen Polzin, PCYC Board President. “He’s a very talented, thoughtful leader who comes to PCYC with a fervent passion for youth, education and the arts. We’re excited to work with him as PCYC moves forward in ever more effective and creative ways, building on the legacy of Anne Long’s leadership,”
“I have a deep respect for PCYC’s 67-year history of service to youth and families on the Northside, and for its extraordinary vision for the new Capri,” said Campbell. “It will be a joy and honor for me to work with the PCYC board and staff, with the community, and with artists and audiences as we develop the next chapter of this remarkable agency together.”
PCYC is a strong and long-standing community-based nonprofit with a rich history of delivering exceptional education, arts and youth programming to children, families and the North Minneapolis community. Expanding on its significant presence on the Northside, PCYC has owned and operated the historic Capri Theater since 1987, and will open the expanded, renovated Capri in 2021.