Yoon Pak

Yoon Pak is a Professor in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with concurrent appointments in Asian American Studies and the Center for Global Studies. She specializes in the history of American education, focusing on racial minorities and immigrant groups, particularly Asian Americans.

• Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, University of Illinois
• Asian American Studies, University of Illinois
• Center for Global Studies, University of Illinois

Research Interests:
Her research examines intercultural education from the 1930s-1950s, Asian American education history, and systemic racism in educational systems. Past work includes analysis of Japanese American schooling during WWII incarceration.

Teaching:
Pak teaches courses on Asian American education, diversity and equity, thesis seminars, and general/special field research seminars for doctoral students.

Scientific Awards:

• Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History (TEAACH) Act Grant (2022)

Publications:
Her recent work spans topics including cultural wars in education, online graduate student engagement, social justice in literature instruction, and systemic racism critiques. She also contributes to editorial work as an associate editor for the History of Education Quarterly.

Service & Leadership:
She serves as Head of the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership and mentors doctoral students through thesis development processes.