Kira is a writer and editor for the College of Humanities. She is majoring in English with minors in German and Global Women’s Studies. After graduating in April 2027, she plans to go into editing. Kira loves when a good book turns into a good nap.
Kira VanDam
Writer & Editor
More from this author
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Layers of History in Lisbon
On a study abroad to Portugal, one student discovered that history is not simply a thing of the past: It’s a complex and unfinished tapestry.
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Writing for Good
From her work at the Ballard Center to the stories she writes on her own time, student Emily Foutz has learned that words can ignite change in oneself and one's community.
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Lessons Learned from the “Best Books”
At BYU’s fall 2026 Education Week, three College of Humanities faculty presented unique texts whose wisdom inspires readers long after the book is closed.
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Creating Community Through the Written Word
What do writings like Jane Austen’s novels and letters have in common with YA literature? Two 2026 Education Week lectures offered a possible answer.
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Internship Stepping Stones
After participating in three competitive internships, undergraduate Madeline Chen (English ’28) has discovered a field that combines her love for both business and storytelling.
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Summer in Taipei
On a study abroad in summer 2025, students explored Taiwan’s culture and language both within and beyond classroom walls.
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Stephen Tuttle as New English Department Chair
Chip Oscarson, dean of the College of Humanities, is pleased to announce that Stephen Tuttle has assumed the role of English Department chair effective July 1, 2026. Tuttle succeeds Deborah Dean, who has served as English Department chair since 2023.
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The BYU Connect Effect
For BYU students who find networking daunting, BYU Connect offers an approachable avenue to form professional relationships and explore career pathways.
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A Germanic Family Gathering
An event organized by BYU humanities faculty in the spring of 2026 became a family reunion for scholars and Germanic languages alike.
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