Corey Dehner

Corey Dehner is an Associate Professor of Teaching at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in The Global School. She is affiliated with the Massachusetts Water Resource Outreach Center and serves as Director of the White Mountains Project Center in New Hampshire. She holds leadership roles as Co-Director of the Massachusetts Water Resource Outreach Center and is actively involved in environmental policy and education initiatives.

• PhD in Law, Policy & Society, Northeastern University (2009)
• Juris Doctor and Certificate in Environmental Law, Boston College (2001)
• BA in Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder (1997)

Professor Dehner's research centers on environmental justice, water and environmental law and policy, stormwater runoff mitigation, and ethical community engagement. She is passionate about fostering student-nature connections and improving mental health through outdoor education. Her work emphasizes environmental stewardship, wilderness ethics, and equitable access to green spaces. She integrates project-based learning and civic engagement into her pedagogy, encouraging students to become ethically minded leaders.

Her recent scholarly work explores the development of stormwater coalitions, wilderness ethics certification, and the intersection of environmental protection and mental health. Publications and presentations highlight themes in environmental governance, community-based research, and educational innovation, reflecting a consistent focus on sustainability, equity, and experiential learning.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• State Educator of the Decade, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (2025)
• Elected Board Member, Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (2025–2027)
• EOP-Mini Grant Program Award, Engineering for One Planet (2025–2026)
• Teaching Innovation Grant, WPI (2024–2025)
• Morgan Teaching and Learning Center Meritorious Service Award (2017)
• Stormy Award, New England Stormwater Collaborative (2016)
• Dexter Brackett Memorial Award, Journal of the New England Water Works Association (2012)
• National Science Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellow (2011)

Professor Dehner advises numerous student projects, particularly Interactive Qualifying Projects (IQPs), often in collaboration with municipalities and environmental organizations. She has secured grants for civic engagement modules and water outreach initiatives. She leads the development of programs that bridge environmental science, policy, and mental well-being, such as the Wilderness Ethics Certificate. She is actively involved in labs and teams including the World Trails Network Alpine Stewardship Steering Committee, the Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition, and the WPI Sustainability Committee.