Dr. Lauren Yena
GateWay Community College is proud to announce that Dr. Lauren Yena has been named a recipient of the 2025 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Recognition by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). This national honor is awarded to faculty who exemplify a deep commitment to student success and go beyond the classroom to make a lasting impact on their campus and in their community.
For Dr. Yena, the award is both a personal and professional milestone.
“Receiving the Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award is deeply meaningful to me,” she shares. “It reaffirms my commitment to mentorship and engagement in the community college setting, and it motivates me to keep striving to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.”
Dr. Yena’s journey in higher education began 30 years ago, when she was first hired to teach working adults and English language learners at a community college. That experience, she says, laid the foundation for her student-centered approach to teaching.
“I have a deep respect for the varied life experiences, perspectives, and goals of community college students,” said Yena. “Helping them recognize how their backgrounds contribute to their academic success is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work.”
Beyond academic writing skills, Dr. Yena hopes her students leave her classes with more confidence, greater self-awareness, and a deeper appreciation for a range of perspectives. She encourages critical thinking and close examination of evidence, thoughtful dialogue, and meaningful reflection, skills she believes are essential not just in the classroom but in life.
While she’s proud of her contributions to research, faculty development, and learning space design, the stories that mean the most to her are those of former students who have overcome obstacles to achieve their goals.
“When students reach out years after they’ve taken my classes to share that they’ve gone on to earn a graduate degree and to thank me for encouraging them to dare to pursue big dreams, it reaffirms why I teach. Their success is the project I hold closest to my heart.”
As she looks to the future, Dr. Yena is interested in collaborating with students and researchers to explore how composing practices are evolving. She’s compelled by emerging research around writing and cognition, particularly writing’s influence on functions such as goal-setting, recovery, and well-being.
“Dr. Yena’s dedication to her students and passion for teaching reflect the very best of who we are at GateWay,” said Dr. Amy Diaz, President of GateWay Community College. “She leads with empathy, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every student. This national recognition highlights the meaningful impact she makes both inside and outside the classroom, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate her achievement.”
GateWay celebrates Dr. Yena for her outstanding contributions to student success and her dedication to the values of teaching, mentorship, and lifelong learning.