Skip to main content
Honors Program

Kaitlyn Hoelzer

Kaitlin Hoelzer.png
Kaitlin Hoelzer.png

Kaitlyn Hoelzer
Major: English
Minors: History and Global Women's Studies

I love literature, especially contemporary American poetry. I also am very interested in feminist, gender, and sexuality studies. Outside of academic interests, I enjoy knitting, painting, playing Mario Kart and Just Dance, playing with my dog, and hanging out with my family.

What sparked your interest in your major?
My interest in my major came first from my love of books, but progressed from my love of what books can do. I believe literature is one of the most important ways to foster empathy and understand other people's perspectives and experiences, and because of this ability, it is a really important force for justice and equality. However, literature can be damaging in the same way, by promoting harmful and exclusive rhetoric. This is why I find it so important and meaningful to investigate the ways in which literature works on its readers.

What's the best-kept secret at BYU?
The best-kept secret at BYU is the JFSB! The second, third, and fourth floors have study alcoves with lots of natural light and the bathrooms are always clean and empty!

Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?
I decided to join the Honors Program after doing Late Summer Honors, which I signed up for without realizing that there was a larger Honors program at BYU. I took a class on women's studies from Dr. Heather Belnap, and the friends I found there and the ideas we discussed were life-changing. I was reluctant to come to BYU, unsure if my beliefs would fit in, but Late Summer Honors showed me that I belonged at BYU.

What has been your favorite part of your Honors Experience?
Besides Late Summer Honors, I really enjoyed the process of my Honors thesis. I love research and found it very exciting to embark on the project of my thesis. Plus, it was a really great opportunity to learn how to work with professors and explain my thinking, and having a major work of scholarship and the experience of defending that scholarship will undoubtedly be helpful as I pursue gradate work.

What is your next step in Honors?
I did my Honors process a bit backwards, so while my thesis is finished, I am currently taking HONRS 320, the Great Questions Tutorial. My next step in Honors is to finish my Great Questions essay and then graduate!