Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner received her PhD in Australia last week, adding to the small number of Marshallese who have achieved this advanced degree.
Her PhD is in Pacific Studies from the Australian National University in Canberra.
Her mother, President Hilda Heine, was the first Marshallese to achieve the advanced degree when she received her Doctor of Education (EdD) degree many years ago. The President and First Gentleman Tommy Kijiner, Jr. were on hand for Kathy’s graduation last week as they were on an official visit to Australia at the time.
Kathy’s Thesis for her PhD was titled: “Our Kapijuknen: Climate Change Adaptation Policy and Poetry in the Marshall Islands.”