Joshua J. Kurz
Higher Education & Student Affairs
About
Joshua J. Kurz
I am an educator with 19 years of experience as an administrator and faculty member.
I have dedicated my professional career to collaborating with students to develop a self-authored identity, build a diverse campus community welcoming to all, foster student engagement, and strive towards social justice.
I earned a PhD in Comparative Studies from Ohio State University in 2014. From 2006 to 2008 I completed my Master of Science in College Student Personnel at Miami University in Oxford, OH, with concentrations in Student Cultures and Student Development Theory.
In my free time I enjoy photography, mountain biking, hiking, and lifting weights at the gym. I'm also a compulsive collector (and user) of stationery.
History
Residence Life Manager
2023 - present
Coming soon...
Student Representation & Governance Coordinator
2022 - 2023
As the Student Representation & Governance Coordinator at Western Washington University, my primary duty was to provide advising to the student government, which consisted of approximately 30 elected student leaders. I also advised the Office of Civic Engagement, a non-partisan team dedicated to increasing civic engagement and voting on the WWU campus. I directly supervised one full-time professional staff member and 10 undergraduate student employees. I served as the budget authority for approximately $450,000 in this role. Finally, I was responsible for overseeing, directly and indirectly, a number of student programs, including student lobbying field trips to the state capitol, Civic Engagement Trivia Night, Know Your Rights informational panels, and more.
Assistant Director, Community-Engaged Leadership
2021 - 2022
As an Assistant Director in the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership at Appalachian State University, my primary duty was to create and facilitate leadership development opportunities for students. I focused on 1st and 2nd year students in three programs: an extended orientation program for incoming 1st years called the Trailhead Experience, a 1st year Residential Learning Community called Leadership in Action, and the 1st and 2nd year students in the Plemmons Scholars program. As part of this role, I also taught courses as an adjunct professor in the Leadership Studies minor.
Deputy Academic Convener of Global Studies
2020 - 2021
As Deputy Convener I was responsible for much of the day-to-day administration of the Global Studies major at NUS. My duties included curriculum development, managing student requests/appeals, staff meeting facilitation, and documenting program activities for the university administration. I also advised more than 200 students' study plans.
Lecturer in Sociology and Global Studies
2016 - 2021
My primary duty was to research, write, and deliver in-person and online university courses on globalization, visual culture, popular culture, and other topics. I also managed teaching assistants, advised students, and supervised student research. Finally, I acted as liaison to the NUS career center, worked with Global Studies alumni, and served as the Global Studies Honors Coordinator.
Postdoctoral Fellow in Global Studies
2014 - 2016
As a postdoc, I taught courses on a variety of topics about globalization, conducted research, and published scholarly articles.
Adjunct Instructor
2013
As an adjunct instructor at CCAD, I taught a section of Introduction to Philosophy to approximately 25 students. Using a common textbook across sections, I designed my section's syllabus, weekly discussion topics, seminar agenda, and assignments.
Graduate Teaching Associate
2011 - 2014
As a GTA, I taught a variety of courses for the Department of Comparative Studies, including cultural studies seminars, undergraduate writing classes, and an introductory class on globalization. Courses were capped at 25 students per term. I was solely responsible for selecting texts, designing the syllabus and assignments, and all grading.
GESO Lead Organizer
2010 - 2011
As Lead Organizer of the Graduate Employees’ Student Organization, I advocated for improved working conditions for graduate employees at Ohio State University. My duties included outreaching to graduate employees across the university, organizing events, lobbying state government, and managing organization resources. From 2008 to 2010 I was an active volunteer member of GESO.
Graduate Teaching Associate
2008 - 2010
As a GTA in the Department of Educational Leadership, I taught one section of “School and Society” to approximately 25 students per quarter/semester. I was solely responsible for selecting texts, designing the syllabus and assignments, and all grading. Discussion format was rooted in principles of democratic inquiry, and assessments often provided students to choose among multiple formats, such as traditional essays or creating art/music, to demonstrate their knowledge of the course.
Camp Counselor & Property Manager
2008
Between my MSc and PhD, I worked as a Camp Counselor and Property Manager for the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore (NJ). I supervised the boys’ unit at Camp Sacajawea Day Camp as a counselor, and on weekends I provided on-site management of the property for private groups and events. I also provided instruction in archery and boating to campers.
Graduate Assistant, MU Women’s Center
2006 - 2008
While completing my MSc in College Student Personnel (a.k.a. Higher Education/Student Affairs), I worked at the Miami University Women’s Center. My primary duties were to supervise the Ambassador Program (9 student staff members), edit/publish the weekly newsletter, and manage special projects. The Ambassadors were peer educators who facilitated discussions about gender-related issues in classrooms across the university, as well as developed programs such as the Clothesline Project and the LunaFest film festival.
Program Manager, Partner's Project
2005 - 2006
As an AmeriCorps Program Manager for the Partner’s Project at Gonzaga University, I recruited, trained, and placed college student volunteers in three Spokane public schools as tutors and classroom assistants. I supervised 3 staff members and grew the program’s volunteers 400% in one year. In addition, I supervised an Alternative Spring Break trip to San Antonio, TX.
Student Affairs Intern
2005 - 2006
As an intern with Gonzaga University Student Affairs, I initiated a project to outreach to men on campus to raise awareness about sexual assault prevention and issues of masculinity and social expectations. This project culminated in a one-day Men's Retreat that brought together students, staff, and faculty to have discussions relating to campus culture, masculinity, and identity. As part of this internship I also advised the student organization Men Against Rape.
Program Manager, Pipeline Project
2004 - 2005
As an AmeriCorps Program Manager for the Pipeline Project at the University of Washington, I recruited, trained, and placed over 600 college student volunteers in over 100 Seattle-area K-12 schools. In addition, I supervised the delivery of the Literacy Through Photography curriculum at Jefferson Middle School, and an Alternative Spring Break trip to the Makah Indian Reservation at Neah Bay, WA.
Photography
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