Quortne R. Hutchings

Quortne R. Hutchings is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education within the College of Education at Northern Illinois University. They teach courses on college student development, qualitative methodology, teaching and learning pedagogies, and dissertation proposal writing, with a critical equity praxis lens. Their research and teaching focus on transformative educational practices to support marginalized communities in higher education.

• Ph.D., Higher Education, Loyola University Chicago
• M.Ed., Education, Organization, and Leadership (Higher Education), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• B.A., African and African-American Studies, Pennsylvania State University

Quortne's research centers on the academic and social experiences of Black gay, bisexual, queer, and non-binary students in higher education, the experiences of student affairs professionals, and issues of substance use and recovery among students, faculty, and staff. They employ critical qualitative methodologies and are committed to equity, social justice, and community engagement in academia. Their work interrogates institutional practices through an intersectional lens, emphasizing the lived realities of minoritized populations.

Their recent publications reveal a consistent focus on Black queer identity, resistance, mentorship, and civic engagement in higher education. Articles explore topics such as Black queer men transgressing masculinity, leadership as resistance in mentorship programs, and the digital representation of civic engagement on institutional websites. These works are grounded in critical race theory, queer of color critique, and participatory methodologies, contributing to a growing body of scholarship that challenges normative structures in higher education.

Professional Affiliations and Memberships

• Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), Mentor Protégé Program
• American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
• American Educational Research Association (AERA)

Quortne is an active member of several professional organizations, contributing to mentorship and scholarly dialogue in higher education. While no specific grants or advising relationships are listed, their collaborative publications suggest strong research partnerships, particularly with scholars like Demetri L. Morgan and Robert A. Blockett. Their work is published in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Higher Education, Journal of College Student Development, and Innovative Higher Education.

They are also a practitioner-scholar with professional experience in academic advising, orientation, multicultural affairs, TRiO programs, and leadership development, bridging theory and practice in student affairs. Their research has been published in journals including the Journal of College Student Development, International Journal of STEM Education, Departures in Critical Qualitative Research, and Journal of Higher Education.