Makamae Sniffen

Pronouns: 'o ia/she/her

Email: sniffen@wisc.edu

Address:
Advisor: Matt Villeneuve
CV

Makamae Sniffen headshot

Biography

I am a kupu of Wahiawā, nourished by the ʻike of my kūpuna, fed by the moʻolelo of my ʻohana. My commitment to serving my kaiāulu and lāhui led me to pursue a joint doctorate in Educational Policy Studies and History. Previously, as Program Coordinator, I wrote federal grants to fund Native student access to higher education and oversaw college programming for Hawaiian immersion and culture-based high schools.

My research interests include History of 19th Century Indigenous Education and Educational Equity as reflected in my final Master’s project that elevated wāhine presence in a patriarchal-dominated history.

Education

MEd, Educational Foundations, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2020
B.S., Family Resources, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2015

Field

  • U.S./North American History

MA Title

  • Weaving Together the Strands: Queen Emma and the Kaula of 19th Century Hawaiian Education

Selected Awards

  • 4W Engagement Grant for Emerging Scholars • Department: 4W Initiative, University of Wisconsin – Madison • 2024-2025

Professional Affiliations

  • American Education Research Association
  • History of Education Society
  • Organization of American Historians