Karin Cotterman directs Engage San Francisco (ESF) at the University of San Francisco. ESF is an intentional, systematic, and transformative university-community initiative focused on achieving community-identified outcomes supporting children, youth, and families in the Western Addition neighborhood through student learning, research, and teaching. During her career in higher education, Karin has taught at University of Illinois at Springfield, Stanford University, University of San Francisco, and University of Cape Coast. Karin received her master of arts degree in English: Creative Writing (Poetry) from SFSU and will receive her doctorate in education with an emphasis in racial justice education in spring 2023. 

In addition to poetry, Karin’s interests include ethical considerations in service, community-campus partnerships, the intersections of identity and service, antiracism work, white identity development, contemplative pedagogy, and strategic thinking both organizationally and institutionally.  In addition to being a trustee at The Bay School, Karin volunteers as an advocate for the California Coalition for PKU and Allied Disorders and has been active on the School Site Council at the SFUSD school her child attends.