Katherine Robert

Hello and Welcome!

Please explore my site and get to know me and enjoy images of my photography, oil painting, and digital collages.

My Philosophy & Purpose

diversity, inclusion & equity in higher education & workplaces

I celebrate differences rather than trying to stuff everyone into the same box. Our differences are what make our contributions unique and therefore, when we interact, they present opportunities to grow, learn, and better understand our history, society, current events and social problems.

I am working to create inclusive workplaces & post-secondary education for the 21st century. Greater flexibility and agility are needed to meet the diverse needs of students in higher education today as well as employees in the changing business landscape.

My vision is wide and includes vocational training in the trades as well as re-training displaced workers in a dynamic global economy, where their work and life experiences are appreciated and count towards their education credentials. The traditional college student arriving to live on campus straight from high school is no longer the predominant student at colleges and universities in the US. And higher education continues to become more inclusive of students who are also working adults, caregivers, or have mental health issues, physical and learning disabilities, and who are neurodivergent.

Whether community colleges, regional, or flagship institutions, educators and administrators must create programs for professional education to fill jobs and keep our economy vibrant and competitive. However, we also need to rediscover ethics and civil education to create empowered citizens and people who are more than good workers and employees. This type of preparation at the college level creates employees who enter their professional roles with knowledge of differences and why they matter, which reduces not only the exposure of the firm but also costs for training new employees in business ethics.

Educational connections to businesses

I work across communities, disciplines, organizational levels, and economic sectors to bridge the gaps between higher education and the workplace. My goal is to help businesses build relationships with colleges & universities for recruiting, while continuously improving how students are educated & prepared for their professional futures. My special area of expertise is STEM education, professions & industry.

Find out more

lived experiences & identities

First generation student

My worldview and leadership approach comes from my own unique lived experiences as a first-generation student from a working-class background. I respect & appreciate everyone's contributions at all levels of an organization and value the skills, grit & determination I possess from my journey beyond my community. I strive for clear communication rather than jargon as I want to reach all audiences.

Visual artist

I started oil painting at age 10 and experience the world as an visual artist. My mind is quick and endlessly creative & my ability to imagine & visualize are off the charts... I cannot help but innovate! Too often I find that people & institutions undervalue trans-disciplinary skill sets and instead focus on siloed experiences when hiring & promoting. I hope to change that bias.

The journey towards equity

As a white woman who is anti-racist I am continuously having open, honest, and patient conversations with other white people who want to better understand how differences matter. I will always engage with anyone who is willing to move beyond their comfort zone and who wants to learn how to discuss race in informed, respectful, and meaningful ways... I get it and am on that journey myself. I also strive to help BIPOC people better understand the white experience as well and help them explore their own prejudices and assumptions--we all have them! The trick is to listen to each other with respect & humility. I will meet you where you are in your journey.

about me

Rocky Mountain living

I was born in Ontario Canada and grew up in the Detroit suburbs in Michigan. I have lived in five states and four times zones in the US: Michigan, California, Washington State, Wisconsin, and now Colorado since I transferred for work in 2011. I enjoy Colorado's climate, diverse people, mountains & wide open spaces, and amazing geology. As a rock nerd, I teach myself geology while traveling around Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Utah. I have a passion for flower gardening and photography. I spend as much time as I can in my painting studio.