Getting to know John Korsmo

February 26, 2013

Caroline Lee

Communications and Marketing intern

Title: Associate professor and director of Human Services Program

Years at Western: Sixth year teaching at Western

Originally from: Born in Tillamook, Ore., where he did his undergrad, and then Milwaukee, Wisc.. Now in Bellingham.

Hobbies: “I love being outside, so a lot of mountain activities. I love to hike, mountain bike and ski in the winter. Love to travel as well as cooking and eating varieties of foods.”

Favorite quote: “I have many favorites, and so I'll go with the first one that came to mind - by someone soon to be famous (my 9-year-old daughter, Sophia). When discussing the one rule she will implement when she becomes the president of the U.S.: ‘I'll be sort of strict, although with only one rule: If want to do something, you can do it. As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else.’"

Favorite restaurant: Blue Fin & Taco Lobo

Favorite Bellingham location: Chuckanut Mountain

Most memorable vacation: Road trip from Austria to Croatia with the family

Favorite WWU moment: A graduation in spring where he watched a Human Services student of his graduate. She was also first in her family to graduate from college.

Currently reading: "Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World that Cant Stop Talking," by Susan Cain; "Teaching with Poverty in Mind," by Eric Jenson; "The Last Indian War: The Nez Perce Story," by Elliot West; and a lot more books.

Currently watching: “Breaking Bad” and Food Network shows

Projects currently working on: “Exploring experiences and support of and for potential and current low-income, first-generation college goers. Creating opportunities for Human Services students to engage in service-learning-based courses internationally (South Africa, Bolivia, Peru). Exploring the potential of more intentionally connecting Human Services and Teacher Preparation education.”

Awards/Recognitions:

  • Vice president of the National Board for the Association of Child and Youth Care Practitioners
  • 2007 Distinguished Research Award, Kappan International
  • Recipient of numerous service distinctions and competitive grants for research and human services practice