A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa gerontology social work educator was awarded the Rising Star Early Career Award from the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). Yeonjung Jane Lee, an associate professor at the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, was recognized as a faculty member whose teaching and leadership stood out as impactful and innovative.
Lee’s research and teaching focuses on identifying various protective and risk factors of older adults’ health and well-being. She has been with the Department of Social Work since fall 2019 and has taught many classes across the bachelor, master and PhD programs. In 2022, she participated in the National Institute of Aging Butler-Williams Scholars Program. She was also nominated by her students and peers for the UH Mānoa Excellence in Teaching.
“I’m so grateful to be chosen to receive this recognition,” said Lee. “However, I would not be where I am today without the help of those around me. I am grateful to my students, colleagues, mentors, the school leadership, the community, my ʻohana, and many people in my life who inspire me every day.”
To be eligible for the AGHE Rising Star Early Career Award, recipients must be a full-time faculty member at an affiliated institution for a maximum of five years, and be nominated by their peers and students. Lee, who also serves as the master of social work gerontological specialization chair, was nominated by her predecessor, Colette Browne, with the support of five other faculty members and three of Lee’s students.
“Dr. Lee’s great work is making an impact in our state, our nation, and around the world. We are excited to see her honored by the AGHE for her efforts,” said Rebecca Stotzer, chair of the Department of Social Work.
Sharing research with a broader audience
In November 2024, Lee will give a lecture at the GSA annual scientific meeting in Seattle, Washington. Through her presentation, “Applying diversity, equity, decolonizing, and intersectionality lens 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 very diverse student body through the topics listed in the presentation’s title.
“As the number of older adults increases, the need for more people in this field will too, so I hope to inspire more students to enter this career path to better serve our kupuna,” said Lee.
