Katherine Hite

Katherine Hite is the F. Thompson Professor of Political Science at Vassar College, where she has taught since 1997. She holds a BA from Duke University and an MIA/PhD from Columbia University. Her research examines the politics of memory and human rights across the Americas and Spain, with current work focused on remembrance issues in Texas.

Research interests center on memorialization of political struggles, human rights discourse, and the legacies of state violence. She co-founded Celebrating the African Spirit, a community organization addressing historical justice in Poughkeepsie.

Publications analyze memorial museums, transitional justice, and contested histories, with thematic focus on institutionalized memory, grassroots activism, and comparative authoritarian legacies. Recent works investigate monument politics and racial reckoning in Texas.

Awards include research fellowships from Fulbright Foundation, SSRC, and Ford Foundation. She advises student research on social movements and has directed community-engaged projects on historical narratives.

Leads collaborative initiatives examining memorialization practices and mentors students through Vassar's Human Rights program.