On top of Heart Mountain, in Wyoming...
I am an Associate Professor, and the Academic Program Director for the Human Services Program in the Woodring College of Education at Western Washington University, in Bellingham Washington, USA.
My PhD is in Urban Education, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where I also received a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology, with an emphasis on Community Counseling. I hold a BS degree in Social Studies from Portland State University, as well as an AA degree from Portland Community College. I took a fairly a-typical path to becoming a professor, bouncing around between numerous colleges, and always working my way through school. I have attended 7 different colleges/universities: the same number of schools that I attended between primary school and high school.
My academic passion lies in the general concept of human ecology, with a particular interest in youth work and family culture. Specifically, I am interested and engaged in better understanding elements of poverty, and how to overcome it. I believe that education is one tool for creating a latter out of generational poverty, and I am committed to supporting equitable opportunity for all children/youth to access quality education. Some of my current work relates to the experiences of first-generation college goers, with particular attention to those who are coming from a place of poverty.
My professional and occupational experiences vary widely. I grew up working as a laborer on farms, and for canneries, and worked as landscape designer, press operator for a cardboard factory, janitor, high school coach, and general laborer among other things prior to earning my bachelor’s degree. Shortly after I received my first degree I had positions as a grade school PE teacher, youth worker, and athletic director. I worked in the non-profit human services sector for a number of years at multiple levels, including serving as front-line staff, program operations manager, and Executive Director of different agencies. After receiving my MS degree I continued in the human services field, as a youth worker, mental health counselor in a range of settings, including for people living with and dying from HIV/AIDS, sex-education instructor for juvenile sex offenders, instructor for Springfield College of Human Services, and academic faculty for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. While completing my PhD I founded a nonprofit continuing-education and consultation training institute geared for non-profit and public sector human services organizations.
I suppose I could be accused of having a short attention span, as I am always engaged in numerous projects/roles, and have a tendency to frequently seek out new professional and personal challenges. However, I am now completing my 6th year (as of 6-5-13) at WWU – the longest amount of time I’ve ever been with a particular employer – with no immediate plans for departure.
Additionally, I operate a small consulting 'firm', Korsmo Consulting LLC, (pretty much me and a pencil - so don’t let firm fool you...) predominantly working with public and private nonprofit and educational organizations locally and regionally on a range of topics, including organizational leadership, facilitation of complex processes, program development, conflict resolution and team building. I frequently conduct professional development workshops on topics such as culture and diversity, responsible use of privilege, poverty, youth work practice, and supervision, etc. and speak at conferences and other events throughout the region and around the country. I’ve had the privilege of speaking at events, teaching, and conducting research in Austria, Canada, Estonia, Finland, and South Africa, with plans for work in Bolivia, Panama and Peru.
My PhD is in Urban Education, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where I also received a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology, with an emphasis on Community Counseling. I hold a BS degree in Social Studies from Portland State University, as well as an AA degree from Portland Community College. I took a fairly a-typical path to becoming a professor, bouncing around between numerous colleges, and always working my way through school. I have attended 7 different colleges/universities: the same number of schools that I attended between primary school and high school.
My academic passion lies in the general concept of human ecology, with a particular interest in youth work and family culture. Specifically, I am interested and engaged in better understanding elements of poverty, and how to overcome it. I believe that education is one tool for creating a latter out of generational poverty, and I am committed to supporting equitable opportunity for all children/youth to access quality education. Some of my current work relates to the experiences of first-generation college goers, with particular attention to those who are coming from a place of poverty.
My professional and occupational experiences vary widely. I grew up working as a laborer on farms, and for canneries, and worked as landscape designer, press operator for a cardboard factory, janitor, high school coach, and general laborer among other things prior to earning my bachelor’s degree. Shortly after I received my first degree I had positions as a grade school PE teacher, youth worker, and athletic director. I worked in the non-profit human services sector for a number of years at multiple levels, including serving as front-line staff, program operations manager, and Executive Director of different agencies. After receiving my MS degree I continued in the human services field, as a youth worker, mental health counselor in a range of settings, including for people living with and dying from HIV/AIDS, sex-education instructor for juvenile sex offenders, instructor for Springfield College of Human Services, and academic faculty for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. While completing my PhD I founded a nonprofit continuing-education and consultation training institute geared for non-profit and public sector human services organizations.
I suppose I could be accused of having a short attention span, as I am always engaged in numerous projects/roles, and have a tendency to frequently seek out new professional and personal challenges. However, I am now completing my 6th year (as of 6-5-13) at WWU – the longest amount of time I’ve ever been with a particular employer – with no immediate plans for departure.
Additionally, I operate a small consulting 'firm', Korsmo Consulting LLC, (pretty much me and a pencil - so don’t let firm fool you...) predominantly working with public and private nonprofit and educational organizations locally and regionally on a range of topics, including organizational leadership, facilitation of complex processes, program development, conflict resolution and team building. I frequently conduct professional development workshops on topics such as culture and diversity, responsible use of privilege, poverty, youth work practice, and supervision, etc. and speak at conferences and other events throughout the region and around the country. I’ve had the privilege of speaking at events, teaching, and conducting research in Austria, Canada, Estonia, Finland, and South Africa, with plans for work in Bolivia, Panama and Peru.
When I am not working, my first objective is to spend time with my family, and whenever possible that takes place outdoors. We love winter sports in the winter and summer sports in the summer. But then again, summer sports are just fine in the winter as well. Its a bit difficult to ski in the summer, though... Trust me, we've tried.
I am very interested in human nature and culture, as well as the outdoors. To fuel these passions, I am an avid traveler, and a major ‘foodie’, eager to explore what the world has to offer in terms of culture (cuisine, music, the arts, language, local people and their communities, etc.) and geography. A risk-taker by nature, I love to find myself in new situations, firing my endorphins while whetting my appetite.
I have many recreational interests, although sadly with expertise in none. Therefore, I’m a dabbler: mountain biking, hiking, camping, skiing, and kayaking are among favorites, although I'm game for just about anything active. I rather enjoy domestic life as well, including gardening, house improvements, and cooking. So, if I am stuck at home there is plenty to do (but if I have my choice, you’re likely to find me in the mountains or on the water).
I am very interested in human nature and culture, as well as the outdoors. To fuel these passions, I am an avid traveler, and a major ‘foodie’, eager to explore what the world has to offer in terms of culture (cuisine, music, the arts, language, local people and their communities, etc.) and geography. A risk-taker by nature, I love to find myself in new situations, firing my endorphins while whetting my appetite.
I have many recreational interests, although sadly with expertise in none. Therefore, I’m a dabbler: mountain biking, hiking, camping, skiing, and kayaking are among favorites, although I'm game for just about anything active. I rather enjoy domestic life as well, including gardening, house improvements, and cooking. So, if I am stuck at home there is plenty to do (but if I have my choice, you’re likely to find me in the mountains or on the water).