Katie Richards-Schuster, AM, PhD, is an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She received her PhD in Social Work and Sociology from U-M, her AM from the University of Chicago, and her BA in Political Science from U-M.
Her research focuses on understanding the strategies and approaches for engaging young people in communities, the contexts and environments that facilitate youth engagement across settings, and the impact of youth participation in creating community change. She is a leading scholar in the areas of youth participation and empowerment, youth participatory action research and evaluation, and community change. She has led community-engaged and national projects focused on youth participation and serves on national boards engaged in youth voice and youth participatory action research. At the School, she teaches courses in community change, youth empowerment and organizing, and community action and social change.
In her current role as associate dean, Richards-Schuster leads the School's strategic initiatives, including facilitating a school-wide participatory strategic visioning process, developing school-wide change initiatives and working to develop new academic programs — such as the Master of Arts in Social Impact Leadership — and new programs to expand undergraduate education opportunities.
Richards-Schuster was also the founding director of the School's Community Action and Social Change undergraduate minor, and served in this role from 2009 to 2023. This minor is the second largest at the U-M and draws over 200 students from nine schools and colleges across campus.
Research Interests
Youth participation, youth engagement, community organizing, critical youth media, educational justice, social justice education and post-undergraduate social change work
Contact Information
Education
- 2005 PhD Social Work and SociologyUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- 1997 MA Social Service AdministrationUniversity of Chicago, Illinois
- 1994 BA Political ScienceUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor
News
Activities
Publications
Honors and Awards
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Center for Research on Learning and Teaching - Gilbert Whitaker Fund |
| 2013 | Howland Endowed Visiting Scholar, University of Minnesota |
| 2009 | Nancy Nye Fellowship Award |
| 2004 | Rosemary Sarri Scholarship Award, School of Social Work, University of Michigan |
| 2003 | Coalition for Community Foundations for Youth Conference Travel Scholarship |
| 2003 | Youth Service Appreciation Award, Ann Arbor Optimist Club |
| 2003 | Dissertation Grant, Department of Sociology, University of Michigan |
| 2003 | Dissertation Tuition Grant, School of Social Work, University of Michigan |
| 2003 | Debt Management Award, University of Michigan |
| 2000 | Summer Block Grant, School of Social Work, University of Michigan |
| 1997 | Voices for Illinois Children's Committee of 100 (a group representing top child advocates in Illinois) |
| 1996-1997 | Co-Editor, Advocate's Forum, School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago |
| 1994 | Mortar Board Honor Society, University of Michigan |
| 1993-1994 | Order of Omega Honor Society, University of Michigan |
Presentations
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Richards-Schuster, K. (2000). Young people creating community change. Presented at the Center for Urban Research and Learning/Policy Research Action Group, Loyola University, Chicago, IL. |
| 2000 | Richards-Schuster, K. (2000). Young people creating community change: First year findings. Presented at the School of Social Work Brown Bag Series, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. |
| 2000 | Richards-Schuster, K. (2000). Research and community: Participatory action research. Presented at the Department of Sociology Graduate Student Conference, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. |
| 2000 | Richards-Schuster, K. (2000). Young people creating community change. Presented at the Youth Leadership Institute, San Francisco, CA. |
| 2001 | Richards-Schuster, K. (2001). National Symposium on Youth Participation in Community Evaluation Research, Ann Arbor, MI. |
Courses
Current & Future Courses
| Title | Instructor | Term | Course Section | Meeting Start | Meeting End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Empowerment and Organizing | Richards-Schuster, Katie E. | Fall 2026 | 001 | 02:00 pm | 05:00 pm | View Course |