Ithaca College

After many years of working and teaching in Hawai`i, we have decided to permanently relocate there. With a combined 38 years at Ithaca College, we have striven to make an impact on the college and community and realized it is time to move on.

Over 15 years ago we developed a transformative field studies program in Hawai`i focused on service learning, community engagement and cultural revitalization. Four of our students from past classes now live there. The Hawai`i field classes were part of the Native American Studies minor that we founded and developed. Our collaborative work both locally and in Hawai`i brought together cultural anthropology, archaeology and indigenous studies and we are excited to continue this on a variety of projects on Hawai`i Island. 

Jack will be teaching in the anthropology department and helping to build the new M.A. program in Heritage Management. For Jack, it's an opportunity to work with graduate students and intensify his research with Native Hawaiians on pre-contact agricultural systems. 

Brooke will be teaching in her areas of expertise related to integrative medicine, food studies and tourism.  She will have the opportunity to further engage in a variety of community projects related to indigenous empowerment and sustainability. 

We would like to thank the many supportive colleagues we have worked with on projects and committees (CCR, C.P. Snow, Summer and Winter Sessions with OES, Dissertation Diversity Fellowship Committee, Phi Kappa Phi Executive Committee, Integrative Health Studies and many more). It is unfortunate to also mention that pervasive issues regarding lack of support and acknowledgement from various sectors of campus have also factored into our decision to move on. 

We can be reached at jrossen@hawaii.edu and kbhansen@hawaii.edu.