Dr. Katelyn Kelly

Welcome! My name is Katelyn Kelly. I have lived all over the country (Illinois, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Arizona, Colorado, and California). While I have always considered Colorado home, I am excited to start building a community and a home here in South Dakota.

In my free time, I love a good game night (from Dungeon and Dragons, Magic, to a good board game) or a movie night (especially a good horror film). I also love yoga, reading a good book, or spending time outdoors, whether running, hiking, mountain biking or simply camping with my partner.

My academic journey, which began at the University of Colorado Boulder where I completed my bachelor’s in political science, has led me to the University of California Irvine, where I earned my doctorate and master’s in political science. My expertise lies in political theory and critical theory, with a particular focus on the politics of culture. My dissertation, The Story of Graffiti: Cultural Practices as a Liminal Space for Political Imagination, explored the political implications of graffiti for American politics throughout history. As a teaching assistant, I've had the privilege of guiding students through a variety of courses, from ‘Introduction to Political Theory’ to ‘Dilemmas of Diversity’ to ‘Writing for the President.’ I am thrilled to continue my teaching journey at Black Hills State University, where I will be teaching ‘Power and the Presidency’ and ‘Introduction to American Politics.’ I am eagerly looking forward to embarking on this learning adventure with you all!

I am committed to creating a collaborative learning space with each of you, where we can
engage in meaningful discussions and learn from each other's perspectives.

Forthcoming publication:

Sabina Andron, Katelyn Kelly, Heather Shirey, & Julia Tulke. "Urban Surfaces, Graffiti, and the Right to the City." _Nuart Journal_ 2024.