Evan Hawar Kakaie, a Kurdish-American criminal justice professional, educator, and probation officer, has earned her PhD in Criminal Justice and Criminology in the United States. Her achievement reflects a deep commitment to public service, education, and community advocacy.

Kakaie and her family arrived in the United States in the late 1990s after fleeing political conflict in search of safety and opportunity. Her decision to pursue criminal justice was rooted in her childhood experiences in the Kurdistan Region, where political instability often left safety far from guaranteed.

“This journey inspired me to follow a path in criminal justice, driven by my belief that everyone deserves fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity,” Kakaie told Kurdistan Chronicle. “I wanted to contribute to a society where justice is not simply an ideal, but a reality that every person can experience.”

Today, Kakaie serves as both a criminal justice professional and a university professor, using her background as a probation officer to connect academic theory with real-world practice in the classroom.

“Becoming a professor means more than achieving a professional goal,” she explained. “It is an opportunity to inspire, mentor, and help shape the next generation of criminal justice professionals.”

Kakaie’s Kurdish heritage has played an integral role in shaping her values. Growing up as part of a population that faced persistent injustice taught her strength, perseverance, and determination.

“My Kurdish roots have deeply shaped who I am today,” she said. “These lessons reinforced my belief in justice, equality, and the importance of education.”

Looking ahead, Kakaie aims to support higher education in her homeland by contributing to committees focused on establishing and strengthening criminal justice programs across universities in the Kurdistan Region.

“My future goal is to contribute to a fairer and more effective system,” she said. “I hope to use my education, professional experience, and knowledge to help develop a stronger foundation for the field.”

Kakaie also stressed that the success of Kurdish professionals in education, government, and public service plays a crucial role in raising Kurdish representation across the United States.

“Every Kurdish professional who succeeds in these fields helps increase our visibility,” she noted. “I hope my journey demonstrates that Kurdish-Americans can contribute meaningfully to American society while remaining proud of their heritage and identity.”