Diversity and Community Studies - Courte Voorhees

Courte Voorhees

Assistant Professor of Diversity and Community Studies

Office:  GCC 112 (Institute for Citizenship & Social Responsibility)
Phone:  745-2093
Email:  courte.voorhees@wku.edu
Website:  http://www.wku.edu/icsr/staff/courte_voorhees

Profile

We are all potential agents of change! Through research, coursework, service, and extracurricular work, we all have the capability to make the world a better place. I primarily work within the Institute for Citizenship and Social Responsibility (ICSR) and the Master of Arts in Social Responsibility and Sustainable Communities (SRSC) to improve community well-being and help others to do the same. I do this by coordinating and promoting community-based research (CBR)  and through teaching courses that challenge students to become agents of change in the community.

Research

My research focuses on the physical and social contexts of community well-being. I primarily conduct community-based participatory action research to promote social justice, environmental justice, and sustainability. This applied, collaborative research is driven by the needs, voices, and actions of the community.

Current Research:

• Youth Leading Environmental Change: I am currently working on an international project for promoting sustainability by engaging youth in environmental activism. This project spans six countries where students, community partners, and faculty are engaging in curricula and action projects fir promoting environmental justice.
• The Pursuit of Happiness: Establishing measures of community well-being and sustainability for the Bowling Green area.
• Reducing Energy Use at WKU: I am working with the office of sustainability using real-time energy monitoring and community-based social marketing to influence energy conservation behaviors on campus.

Teaching

My goal as a teacher is to provide safe opportunities for critical engagement. I have been privileged to receive my education and am honored to use my knowledge and skills to educate my students. My teaching prepares students to be critically thinking agents of change through applied community projects, research, and field experiences.

Regular Courses:

• Community-Based Research Methods
• Public Problem Solving
• Public Work (ICSR Capstone field experience)
• Being a Citizen Professional

University Service

I am a research consultant, co-investigator, research advisor, and guest lecturer for campus and community members conducting community-based research, service learning, or volunteer coordination for the community. I am on the Hill House advisory board and coordinate community-based research for the Hill House students. I am also a member of the Department of Diversity and Community Studies curriculum committee, the University College curriculum committee, and the Honors Development Board. I can be reached via email courte.voorhees@wku.edu or phone (270) 745-2093. I look forward to working with you!