Summary

Dr. V. Leilani Kupo (Kanaka Maoli) was raised away from w88 casino games login ancestral land of Maui and often questioned w88 casino games login “right” to claim w88 casino games login Native Hawaiian ancestry. Growing up in the continental United States, she depended on w88 casino games login'ohana(family) to guide and teach w88 casino games login from a distance. Educational attainment has always been an important family value, and it was, and still is, a great point of pride for w88 casino games login‘ohanathat she pursued higher education. Receiving w88 casino games login B.A. from Ripon College (WI) in English, w88 casino games login M.Ed. in College Student Personnel Administration from James Madison University (VA) and w88 casino games login Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University (OH) in Higher Education Administration were points of great celebration for w88 casino games login‘ohana. They were also locations of great clarity, as these experiences helped Leilani understand the ways in which education and schooling both liberated and caused trauma to w88 casino games login and w88 casino games login family, due to the role of schooling in colonization and assimilation practices. This clarity set w88 casino games login commitment to raising consciousness and creating change in higher education. It is through w88 casino games login pursuit of education that she honors w88 casino games login grandparents, mom, dad, and‘ohana, striving to be a good ancestor.

Leilani has served as a scholar-practitioner in student affairs since 2000. Throughout her professional practice, she has focused on serving w88 casino games login, addressing community needs and incorporating her cultural values throughout her work. Her research interests include educational access, identity development, intersectionality, gender equity, decolonization and indigenous knowledge systems.

In w88 casino games login free time, Leilani likes to read, write and make lopsided pots in w88 casino games login ceramics classes.

Topics: Being a scholar-practitioner, creating transformative workplaces, social justice fatigue, honoring and centering cultural values in work, advocating for self in the workplace, getting involved in professional organizations and imposter syndrome