A university of Hawaii at Mānoa, the gerontology and social work educator was awarded the Rising Star Early Career Award by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). Yeonjung Jane Lee, associate professor in the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, was recognized as a faculty member whose teaching and leadership skills were distinguished by impact and innovation.
Lee’s research and teaching focuses on identifying various protective and risk factors for the health and well-being of older adults. She joined the Department of Social Work in fall 2019 and has taught many courses at the undergraduate, graduate and Doctoral thesis programs. In 2022, she participated in the Butler-Williams Scholars Program at the National Institute of Aging. She was also selected by her students and colleagues for the UH Mānoa – Excellence in Teaching.
“I am so grateful to have been selected for this award,” said Lee. “However, I would not be where I am today without the help of the people around me. I am grateful to my students, colleagues, mentors, school administration, community, ʻohanaand many people in my life who inspire me every day.”
To be entitled to the AGHE Recipients of the Rising Star Early Career Award must have been full-time faculty at an affiliated institution for a maximum of five years and be nominated by their colleagues and students. Lee, who also holds the chair in gerontological specialization in the master’s program in social work, was nominated by her predecessor, Colette Browne, with the support of five other faculty members and three of Lee’s students.
“Dr. Lee’s tremendous work has impacted our state, our nation and around the world. We are pleased that she is being honored by AGHE for her efforts,” said Rebecca Stotzer, chair of the Department of Social Work.
Making research results accessible to a wider audience
In November 2024, Lee will give a lecture at the GSA annual scientific meeting in Seattle, Washington. In her presentation, “Applying Diversity, Equity, Decolonization, and Intersectionality in Gerontology Education,” Lee will share her journey as an educator and how she plans to continue to provide high-quality education to support a diverse student body through the themes listed in the title of the presentation.
“As the elderly population increases, the need for more people in this field will also increase. So I hope to inspire more students to pursue this career path to better serve our kupuna,” Lee said.
