Kristiana
Kahakauwila

A teaching philosophy rooted in choice is, for Professor Kristiana Kahakauwila in the English Department, one rooted in kuleana—in responsibility, privilege, and a sense of ownership. “A deeper dive into texts asks the students to not only take ownership of the work in a new way, but to take ownership of their response to the work, their own thinking and feeling.” Her teaching leans into analysis of how a work is wrought and from where it takes its inspiration in the context of race, gender, sexuality, ability, indigeneity and other lived experiences. Her students express an experience of being treated not “only as students but as writers and readers. She gives us a chance to grow & progress, first and foremost, as artists.” Her innovative pedagogical technique includes asking students to take up the mantle of instructor at least once each term. A former graduate student describes Professor Kahakauwila as a “devoted, kind, and brilliant teacher who challenged students in a way that was joyful and meaningful.”