Dawan Coombs

Dawan Coombs is an Associate Professor of English at Brigham Young University (BYU), specializing in literary education and youth literature. They actively engage with educational initiatives, serving as a university representative for the Provo City School District’s Language Arts Curriculum Development Committee (2016–2017) and contributing to the Utah State Office of Education’s Toolkit for Struggling Readers. Their work emphasizes strategies for improving reading skills in K-12 students and advancing AP test preparation techniques.

Research interests include bridging gaps in youth literature accessibility, fostering lifelong reading habits, and integrating interdisciplinary approaches to literary analysis. Coombs frequently collaborates with educators through workshops, presentations at BYU Education Week, and radio interviews on Worlds Awaiting (KBYU Radio), addressing topics like identity formation through reading and strategic test-taking methods.

Recent contributions include hosting the podcast episode Among the Losses (2025), reflecting on poetic legacy, and facilitating the Book Club for Female Athletes at Provo High School to promote literacy among underserved groups. Their outreach spans curriculum development, public lectures, and media engagements, highlighting a commitment to making literature accessible and impactful across diverse audiences.