C. Riley Hostetter, MSW (they/them) is a PhD student in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. They hold an MSW from Portland State University and a BS in psychology and Spanish from Iowa State University. Their work centers critical approaches to social work and systemic inequities, prioritizing queer and trans communities. Riley’s research interests include problematizing the family policing system, with particular emphasis on its impacts for queer and transgender youth, and alternatives to carceral systems of support and punishment. Riley has additional interests in mutual aid, abolition of the carceral state, social determinants of health, and gender identity. Riley aspires to utilize critical social justice lenses in all they do.

Riley’s post-MSW practice experience primarily centered in the foster care realm, while also conducting work pertaining to LGBTQIA2S+ inclusivity and program development. They have assisted with agency pronoun initiatives, updates to policy for transgender & nonbinary employees, trainings for incoming foster parents, and assisted with LGBTQIA+ inclusivity manuals and reports, among others. Riley has served on numerous non-profit LGBTQIA+ and equity & inclusion committees, as well as Oregon Health Policy Board’s Health Equity Committee. Outside social work, Riley is an avid partaker and fan of rock climbing, soccer, and theatre.

Contact Riley at: riley.hostetter@du.edu