Taylor Coats

Taylor Coats (she/her) is from South Bend, Indiana. She earned her BSW in 2016 from Huntington University and her MSW in 2017 from DU with a specialization in Sustainable Development and Global Practices. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Indiana and worked in both public health and community mental health. She worked as an addictions and mental health therapist for adults and youth for five years in community mental health before opening her own practice. Taylor worked for her local Department of Health between 2021-2023 as their Assistant Director of Health Equity while overseeing the development and expansion of their Community Health Worker program. Through her work as a therapist and in public health, Taylor works to dismantle systemic forms of oppression of those in her community. She believes that changes must occur within systems to see a sustainable impact. In all areas of her work and experience, Taylor has seen how environmental violence plays a role in communities’ health and social outcomes. Taylor is currently a Ph.D. student and research assistant at The University of Denver, studying to receive her Ph.D. in Social Work focused on environmental justice and community engagement. Her research focuses on South Bend, Indiana, and the utilization of green spaces to improve community connectedness and reduce community violence. 

• MSW, University of Denver