Katherine Jenkins she/her/hers

Director for Nature-based Programs

Office:Second Floor, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute
Email:Send a message...
Telephone:715-682-1853

Biography

Earned and Honorary Degrees

MSEd Guidance and Counseling—Clinical Mental Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MS Environmental Education, Audubon Expedition Institute, Lesley University
BA Directed Studies—Environmental Education, Northland College

Background

In August of 2023, I completed a second graduate degree, this time in the field of counseling psychology. This degree felt important in two ways: first, to support my work with youth and college students when working in the wilderness on extended trips, and second, to support my work as a mindfulness-centered, body-centered practitioner in the State of Wisconsin. Today I have the continued opportunity to keep nature and wellness at the heart of my relationships with youth and Northland students, as I continue at Northland in two different roles: as counselor and as director of nature-based programs at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute (SOEI). Below is a bit of my life experience, including people and places that influence me as well as the education, training and jobs that support me in my livelihood.

I grew up within the city-scape of Louisville, Kentucky. Among the pavement, cars, and urban lifestyle, I found solace in the branches of our magnolia tree, the local parks, and the semi-darkness and hills of a nearby golf course. Throughout my childhood, I learned I am often happiest and most content when outside spending time in nature. A family trip with my brother, sister, and mother to the Colorado Rockies confirmed this at sixteen. Since then, being outdoors and connecting with nature has been central to my career.

After high school graduation, I spent a short time at the University of Maine, Orono, where I became interested in education; however, I wasn’t ready for college yet. I took some time off and spent a semester working at the Philadelphia Zoo and learned I thrive when learning by experience. This led me to study at Northland College, where I fell in love with Lake Superior and the northern lights! I also became a very focused student in love with learning.

My adventurous spirit and curiosity led me out and about after undergrad: I was an outdoor education intern and camp counselor in Vermont, worked as an Americorps member and trail crew leader for ten months in New Hampshire, and donned the National Park Service ranger uniform in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. These adventures led me to enroll with Lesley University and jump on “the bus” for three semesters studying the Southern Rockies, Sonoran Desert, and Atlantic Coast bio-regions as a graduate student. My continued exploration of traditional and non-traditional education also led me to elementary education courses in Boston, Massachusetts, and a semester teaching fourth grade on Cape Cod, ultimately leading me toward an teaching license in elementary education.

In the midst of my graduate studies, I became overwhelmed with the knowledge I was gaining about the state of the Earth and uncertain as to how to solve such a complex problem, much less know where I should put my energy. My professor handed me a book by Joanna Macy—Coming Back to Life—and it opened my world. A couple years later, I connected with Joanna and trained as a facilitator of The Work that Reconnects. In addition, as a side hobby, I continue to be fascinated, studied, and skilled in different areas of health and healing.

This is evident in my ongoing commitment to connect people to the natural world, to themselves, and to one another. I’ve maintained this as a wilderness guide for adjudicated youth, wilderness camp counselor, sea kayak guide, restorative justice coach and consultant, Hakomi Certified Practitioner, outdoor education faculty, mindfulness educator, manager of the Ouray Hot Springs, and SOEI youth outreach educator. I continue to stay committed to keeping connection with nature, self, and others at the heart of my work.

Why Northland?

As humans, we all want to belong. It’s an inherent life desire. Northland meets this need. I chose Northland because of the location, Lake Superior, and because of the people. In one visit I knew this was my place, a place I felt I belonged. I even left the area over and over again, determined to find other places in the country that are just as great—and there are a lot of great places—but Northland College and this surrounding region is special. People come here and stay here because of who we, including our plant and animal friends, are as a whole. It’s a good place with good people, sincere in their commitment to what they care for and love.

Student Involvement

I have worked with Northland students in a number of different capacities since 1996 including teaching for at least eight years in the outdoor education program, offering new courses here and there related to academic and personal wellness, supporting Northland students and fellows in leading youth programs, offering workshops in Right Use of Power, Active Hope and The Work that Reconnects, and providing and facilitating safe space for students to share.

Perhaps the most unique offering for students today is nature-based, mindfulness-centered, body-centered counseling. Many students (and people in general) seem overwhelmed, either with the state of the world and the planet or just the day-to-day challenges of juggling classes, work, and a social life. It is my personal experience and experience in working with clients over the years that mindfulness-centered, body-centered, and nature-based approaches support students in decreasing the feeling of being overwhelmed, which allows space for them to discover new ways of moving through the world that feels more comfortable. I blend this approach with practical solution-focused techniques and parts work as seen in internal family systems therapy.

Interests

You can most always find me outside biking, walking, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or camping, most likely with my dog Oona nearby.