Kristen Proehl

Kristen Proehl is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at State University of New York at Brockport. She currently serves as English Education Coordinator (Spring 2022-present) and Honors Faculty Fellow (Fall 2023-present).

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in American Studies, College of William and Mary (2011)
• MA in American Studies, College of William and Mary (2004)
• BA in English, University of Puget Sound (2002)

Dr. Proehl specializes in Children's and Young Adult Literature, Feminist and queer theory, and American literary history. Her research examines how tomboy figures like Jo March from Little Women (1868) to Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games (2008) have evolved as symbols of female empowerment. Her work connects sentimental literature traditions with contemporary gender studies.

Her scholarship appears in journals including Jeunesse and The Journal of Lesbian Studies, with her 2018 monograph Battling Girlhood representing a significant contribution to understanding how tomboy figures navigate social justice issues across American literary history.

Professional recognitions include:

• Honors Faculty Fellow (2023-25)

Dr. Proehl serves as Vice-President/President-Elect of the Carson McCullers Society (2021-present) and previously served on the Children's Literature Association Grants Committee (2016-18). At SUNY Brockport, she has chaired the Curriculum Committee, Graduate Program Committee, and served as Faculty Sponsor for the English Club.