Counseling psychologist and faculty member Croteau dies suddenly

Contact: Cheryl Roland
Photo of Dr. James Croteau.

James Croteau

Dr. James Croteau, professor of counselor education and counseling psychology, died suddenly after falling ill while cycling Sept. 18 in Kalamazoo. He was 59.

James Croteau

Croteau, a member of the WMU faculty since 1990, was nationally known for his research, training, clinical work and publications that focused on such issues as lesbian, gay and bisexual issues in the workplace and on college campuses as well as racism awareness and racial healing.

In addition to being a faculty member, Croteau was a practicing counselor. He also was a fellow of the American Psychological Association's Society of Counseling Psychology, as well as a fellow of the APA's Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Issues.

The author of dozens of book chapters and journal articles, Croteau served on editorial boards for the Journal of Counseling and Development, the Journal of Vocational Behavior, and The Counseling Psychologist.

A ranking published in 2010 by The Counseling Psychologist named Croteau as the nation's most productive scholar in counseling psychology in the area of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies. The ranking was based on his publication in eight national refereed journals as well as the impact of his work as reflected by the number of citations of that work by other scholars.

Active in a variety of campus initiatives at WMU, Croteau was part of the campuswide group of faculty and staff that piloted the Everyone Counts program promoting diversity and inclusion.

Croteau earned his bachelor's degree from Loyola University, New Orleans, and both his master's and doctoral degrees from Southern Illinois University. Before coming to WMU, he worked for six years as a counselor at Ithaca College.

Services

Services will be held at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1

Remembrances

For more information or to share a photo or memory of James Croteau, visit lifestorynet.com.