Courtney Luedke’s research focuses on transforming Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students’ experiences through anti-racist practices within higher education. Within this broader context, she explores how bi-directional support—where students integrate their backgrounds and identities into their work—empowers them and plays a crucial role in their success. She is also dedicated to supporting faculty development through scholarship, mentorship, and workshops. Additionally, Courtney has experience working at both the state and institutional levels to develop policies that support underrepresented students, with a particular focus on undocumented students.
Topic highlights:
- Navigating Graduate School from applying to program selection
- Professional Development and DEI Discussions
- The Experiences of Undocu/DACAmented Students
Recent Talks
Title: TRIOs impact on my development as a student and scholar
Topic: Engaged in discussion with undergraduate students about my experience in TRIO. Emphasized the support and resources surrounding them in their programs, and addressed how it helped me get to where I am now as a first-gen scholar.
When: February 2025
Audience: Undergraduate students across UWW TRIO Programs
Location: Whitewater, WI.
Title: Supporting first-generation students during the transition to and through college
Topic: Supported faculty in considering inclusive practices to include first-generation students fully in college courses. Addressed holistic practices to support first-generation students inside and outside the classroom.
When: May 2024
Audience: First Scholars Program at Westminster University
Location: Virtual
Title: The least I could do is get that four-year degree that they sacrificed so much for: Undocumented Latina/o families and the college navigation process.
Topic: Discussed this publication and the larger research study with undocumented students with Tichavakunda’s research team. We discussed research with marginalized and harder-to-reach populations, relationship building in the research process, and ethical engagement of participants or co-researchers. We also discussed the possibility of universities leveraging this collectivist orientation in student engagement efforts.
When: April 2024
Audience: Dr. Antar Tichavakunda’s research group. University of California, Santa Barbara.
Location: Virtual
Title: Welcome to UIC and Graduate School Options
Topic: Hosted a group of King Chavez Scholars at UIC. Highlighted differences in attending a PWI and MSI/HSI/AANAPISI with scholars. Discussed unique aspects of attending an urban institution. Highlighted graduate school options at UIC. Coordinated a campus tour with admissions.
When: March 2024
Audience: 21 BIPOC Scholars from UW-Whitewater hosted at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Education
Location: Chicago, IL.
Title: Planning a Research Agenda
Topic: Presented effective strategies for turning one’s dissertation into journal manuscripts. Discussed different avenues for starting one’s research agenda after graduate school. Shared insights on aligning personal interests with tenure track guidelines.
When: March 2022
Audience: National Business Education Association Council for Business Teaching & Research
Location: Virtual
Title: Supporting Latina/o/x Students at UW-Whitewater
Topic: Presented a lecture on the increasing statewide demographics of Latina/o/xs in Wisconsin. Discussed opportunities and challenges in supporting the recruitment and retention efforts of Latina/o/x students at UW-Whitewater.
When: January 10, 2020
Audience: Division of Enrollment and Retention, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Location: Whitewater, WI.
Title: Creating, Building, and Demanding an Equitable Experience in College.
Topic: Discussed the role of academic and co-curricular engagement of Students of Color. Discussed strategies for faculty and staff to equitably support Students of Color at their institution.
When: November, 29, 2019
Audience: Madison College students, faculty, and staff
Location: Madison College, Madison, WI=
Title: Graduate School Considerations
Topic: Led workshop on the graduate school search process alongside the job search process for early career student affairs professionals.
When: October, 2019
Audience: Student Affairs 101, (WCPA).
Location: Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Title: Developing as Scholars: King Chavez Scholars Program and the College Transition
Topic: Led talk on student engagement and making the most of one’s collegiate experience for first-year undergraduate scholars.
When: August, 2019
Audience: King Chavez Scholars Program, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Location: Whitewater, WI.
Title: Selecting a Graduate Program/Preparing for Graduate School
Topic: Led workshop for the McNair Scholars Program on the graduate school search process.
When: June, 2019
Audience: McNair Scholars, University of Wisconin-Whitewater.
Location: Whitewater, WI.
Title: Supporting Undocumented Students in their College Planning Process: The Role of High School Counselors
Topic: Co-led talk on the different resources high school counselors can use to support undocumented students’ college application and search process.
When: April, 2019
Audience: Regional High School Counselor Summit, hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions Office.
Location: Whitewater, WI.
Title: A Research Agenda: Critically Supporting Latina/o/x Students in Higher Education
Topic: Reviewing a research agenda focused on supporting Latina/o/x students in college.
When: March, 2019
Audience: AAHHE Faculty Fellows Program
Location: Costa Mesa, CA.
Title: Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community Research & Scholarship
Topic: The graduate school experience for Latina/o/x students.
When: March, 2019
Audience: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) National Conference
Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Title: Exploring the letter from Birmingham in today’s world.
Topic: Discussing the impact of King’s letter historically and today.
When: January, 2019
Audience: Martin Luther King Commemorative Event, University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater
Location: Whitewater, WI.
Title: You are a scholar: King Chavez Scholars and the college experience.
Topic: Led a talk on undergraduate research opportunites for students part of the King Chavez Scholars Program.
When: August, 2018
Audience: King Chavez Scholars Program, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Location: Whitewater, WI.
Title: How to prepare and select a graduate school.
Topic: Facilitated and led panel discussion on graduate school selection process as part of Graduate School.
When: November, 2017
Audience: Graduate School Series participants, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Location: Whitewater, WI.
Courtney L. Luedke, Ph.D. 