Phenomenal Woman

For immediate release:

Cal State L.A. Professor Honored
Among 2004 Phenomenal Women

Los Angeles, CA – California State University, Los Angeles’ Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Gay Yuen Wong (Monterey Park resident) was recently chosen as one of the phenomenal women of the 32nd Congressional District, in celebration of Women’s History Month 2004. Yuen will be honored at a reception on Saturday, March 13, noon-3 p.m., at the Irwindale Senior Center.

This annual event recognizes individuals who have made positive contributions to their communities through their dedication and hard work. An award letter from Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-32) wrote: “Women, such as yourself, are an excellent example of what one individual is able to do to improve the lives of others around them.”

“We are so proud, but not surprised, to hear of Dr. Yuen’s selection as ‘phenomenal woman.’ What a prestigious honor. Her unceasing commitment to Asian youth is clearly evidenced in the many leadership roles she has assumed in community partnerships,” says Frances Kuwahara-Chinn, acting chair for the Division of Curriculum and Instruction at Cal State L.A. “Congratulations to a most deserving woman!”

A professor of language and literacy in the Charter College of Education at Cal State L.A., Yuen teaches reading, writing and ESL methodology courses in the elementary teacher credentialing program, and graduate courses in second language development and multicultural education. She also coordinates a state grant that supports more than 150 university interns in the completion of their California Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials.

Yuen received her B.A. in Oriental languages and her elementary teaching credential from UCLA, her M.A. in urban education from Cal State L.A., and her Ph.D. in language, literacy and learning from USC. She taught first grade at Castelar Elementary School as one of the first certified bilingual Chinese teachers in the state. She joined the faculty of CSULA in 1990.

Yuen serves on local, state and national educational committees and task forces on minority education, and is often invited to consult in China, Korea, Singapore, and other Asian countries. She has spearheaded several education reform movements, including founding the Los Angeles Accelerated Schools Center.

In 1997, Yuen headed a five-year Annenberg reform partnership with LAUSD and CSULA. The project focused on the training and continued professional development of classroom teachers during all stages of their careers, enabling them to be betters teachers and increase student achievement.

Yuen is deeply committed to ensuring equal opportunities for immigrants and minorities in the United States. She serves on the boards of many community-based, non-profit organizations, including Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP), East West Players (EWP), and the Asian Youth Center (AYC).

WORKING FOR CALIFORNIA – California State University, Los Angeles: A comprehensive university at the heart of a major metropolitan city. The 175-acre hilltop campus is located five miles east of Los Angeles’ civic and cultural center. Since 1947, Cal State L.A. has been a leader in providing quality higher education. Today, the campus comprises a faculty of internationally recognized scholars and artists, and more than 21,000 students with a wide variety of interests, ages and backgrounds that reflect the city’s dynamic mix of populations. Cal State L.A. is one of 23 campuses in the CSU system.