Christi Hein

Christi Hein works with her local school district coordinating opportunities for secondary students to take college courses, while continuing to teach at Colorado Mesa University, where she has taught since 2010. Her courses include Free Speech and Civil Discourse Maverick Milestone, Constitutional Law, and government courses.
A recipient of Heterodox Academy’s 2026 Open Inquiry Award for Teaching, Hein is passionate about helping students, educators, and community members navigate difficult conversations with intellectual humility, curiosity, and respect. Drawing on her background in law, educational leadership, and U.S. history, she translates complex First Amendment and civic engagement concepts into practical strategies that audiences can immediately apply in classrooms, workplaces, and everyday life.
Known for blending scholarship with humor, Hein’s presentations focus on free speech, viewpoint diversity, civil discourse, civic engagement, and teaching across differences. Her engaging and approachable style equips participants with concrete tools for fostering open inquiry, responding to disagreement constructively, and building cultures where diverse perspectives can be explored without fear.