Full Biography

Previously, Spencer served in a number of leadership roles at nonprofit organizations. Most recently, he was a Student Leader at the New York City Urban Debate League (NYCUDL) where he studied the latest debate-inspired instructional practices, developed innovative curriculum, engaged directly with middle school students, and attended the NYCUDL Summer Leadership Institute. Additionally, Spencer brings several years of experience teaching history at the New-York Historical Society and in public service roles at the New York City Council, the New York State Supreme Court, and Civics Unplugged.

For more than a decade, Spencer competed on and led the debate team at the Dalton School. In Public Forum Debate, he ranked as high as top 1% in the nation, notably placing first at the University of Michigan Tournament and second at the Lakeland Invitational and University of Kentucky Invitational. Spencer qualified twice for both the New York State Championships and the Tournament of Champions.

Spencer remains a highly sought-after leader. In 2024, he was elected to a two-year term on the Student Leadership Council of the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), representing 140,000 students. Spencer has determined pricing models for NSDA membership, expanded the unconscious bias training course for judges, and created a new onboarding program for students. In 2023, Spencer began a five-year term at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History where he provides feedback on the organization’s resources, educator programs, and collections.

Education