Carrie Kortegast

Carrie Kortegast, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education within the College of Education at Northern Illinois University (NIU), where she has been a faculty member since summer 2014. Her teaching focuses on college student development, administration of higher education and student affairs, campus environments, and diversity in higher education.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. in Education, Leadership, and Policy Studies (Higher Education), Iowa State University
• M.Ed. in Educational Policy, Research, and Administration (Higher Education), University of Massachusetts Amherst
• B.A. in History and Religion, Mount Holyoke College

Her research centers on identity, diversity, and social justice in higher education, with specific focus on LGBTQ issues, international education, and the use of visual methods in research and pedagogy. Prior to NIU, she taught at Vanderbilt University and held leadership roles at Denison University and Mount Holyoke College.

The recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary trend across higher education, qualitative research, and social justice. Her work integrates visual methodologies, narrative inquiry, and critical praxis to explore student development, identity formation, and inclusive campus environments. Key themes include LGBTQ student and professional experiences, study abroad reintegration, and multimodal learning strategies.

Professional Involvement:

• Co-chair, GLBT Knowledge Community, NASPA
• Member, NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program Board
• Member, NASPA Region IV-E Board
• Volunteer, Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke

Kortegast has advised various research initiatives and curriculum development projects related to diversity and inclusion in higher education. She has contributed to grant-funded programs through NASPA and institutional partnerships focused on student success and equity. Her work bridges theory and practice in student affairs, emphasizing reflective and critical professional development.

She is actively involved in research teams and collaboratives focusing on visual methods and LGBTQ student experiences. Her lab-like collaborations include interdisciplinary research groups across institutions, particularly in projects involving digital storytelling and participant-generated visual data.