Dr. JoAnn Yuen Appointed Associate Director of the University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies

August 2, 2013

Effective August 1, 2013, the Dean of the College of Education appointed Dr. JoAnn W. L. Yuen as Associate Director of the Center on Disability Studies (CDS) at the University of Hawai‘i. This position is newly established, general-funded, and tenure track, demonstrating the University's commitment to the University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

Dr. Yuen has been with the CDS since 1999. She began as a Junior Specialist, with subsequent promotions to Assistant and Associate Professor. Her areas of professional research span early intervention, post-secondary supports, Creating Futures through computer-assisted literacy programs, and working extensively in services for adults with developmental disabilities.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a master's degree in Communication from the University of Hawai‘i, and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from the University of Southern California.

Since 2010, she has served on the State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities. She is Chair of the College of Education Faculty Senate and is a member of the College Native Hawaiian Council. She also leads the ACT Early Team for Hawai‘i. Further, Dr. Yuen participated in the 2013 UCEDD Leadership Development Institute at the University of Delaware.

As stated by the Acting Director of the CDS, "This appointment is an important step in the orderly transition of leadership at the UCEDD. We are very pleased that the University has developed an appreciation for the critical importance of this position at the UCEDD, as demonstrated by funding the position. Dr. Yuen's experience in participating in the 2013 UCEDD Leadership Development Institute, and the corresponding relationships, will result in support from the network as she assumes this position."

Finally, as a continuing commitment to the value of diversity at the COE, Dr. Yuen's appointment represents the first-time appointment of a Native Hawaiian to a position of administrative leadership in the College.