RESEARCHER MOTIVATES STUDENTS

Shirley Yu, associate professor of educational psychology, has received accolades from students and experts in her field for nearly a decade. For her contributions, she received a Provost’s Core Teaching Excellence Award.

Recently, Yu developed a new section of a university core course on family development, providing training for a team of doctoral students who assist with the instruction of more than 300 students per semester.

“As a nationally recognized researcher in the areas of motivation, self-regulation, achievement goals and

Photo by Thomas Shea

academic performance, Dr. Yu is quite knowledgeable,” wrote one doctoral candidate in an evaluation. “Without a doubt I can state that I am a better thinker, a stronger researcher and a participatory member of the academy because Dr. Shirley Yu has been my teacher.”

The award carries a $5,000 check and a trophy. Nominees must be tenured or tenure track faculty demonstrating excellence in teaching.

Travis Coggin
Staff writer