ESU Honors Two Faculty as Distinguished Professors

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania presented its annual Distinguished Professor Awards to Jyh-Hann Chang, Ph.D., professor of psychology and Gina Scala, Ed.D., professor of special education and rehabilitation, at the first All-University meeting of the academic year, on Tuesday, September 5.

The Distinguished Professor Award – the highest honor for ESU faculty to receive – is presented based on outstanding contributions to the academic life of the University and its reputation. The award of Distinguished Professor is conferred upon an individual by the ESU Interim President, Kenneth Long, in recognition of exceptional achievements in teaching, research/scholarship/creative activities, and service.

Dr. Chang, a professor of psychology, joined the university in 2006.

Chang majored in biology at Ursinus College, earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology at Beaver College in 1992, and a second master’s and his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Connecticut in 1997. He then did a post-doctoral fellowship in gerontology at the Department of Veterans Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla. He is currently enrolled in a post-doctoral master’s program in clinical psychopharmacology at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Nomination letters from students repeatedly speak about how he inspires them to do meaningful research. His intrusive support of students over the years, and ability to involve them in the research enterprise, is highly commendable. In the words of one of the students, “Dr. Chang has shared his research knowledge and passion with his undergraduate research team. Through his support and encouragement, members of the research team have won the Sigma Xi Top Researcher Award for over 12 years.” Chang’s CV indicates his own commitment to research. He lists many publications, including a 2020 article in The Human Psychologist and five workbooks published by Pearson, one of the leading academic publishers. He was named a Fellow of the Eastern Psychological Association in 2018, a highly prestigious award.

Chang has presented his own work at many state, regional, national, and international conferences. He developed and is currently revising his Compassion of Others Life Scale (COOL), a psychology tool that has been translated from English into four other languages. Dr. Chang is highly involved in advocating opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities. He has received many grants, including from the National Science Foundation and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Boldly sharing his own personal story of a spinal injury, he has been featured in many newspaper articles, including the New York Times, Boston Globe, and Philadelphia Inquirer and as a keynote speaker at many conferences and public events.

Both Psychology majors and other students testify to Dr. Chang’s excellent approaches to teaching courses including General Psychology, Lifespan and Development, Theories of Personality, and Group Process in Counseling, Cross Cultural Psychology, among others. He recently developed a new course, Positive Psychology. Chang advises more than 50 students and agrees to oversee many independent studies with Psychology majors.

Dr. Chang has been nominated for an appointed position on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor Board. He has served on every departmental committee and many university committees and programs, including the University Senate, Sigma Xi (focused on research), and as a presenter at the Provost’s Colloquium. In addition to local community service, he also creates a monthly podcast for The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation called “Living Well with Dr. John—Adjustment Across the Lifespan.” His podcast’s purpose is to improve the quality of life of individuals with paralysis; his broadcasts reach individuals in 39 states and six countries.

Dr. Scala started her journey in special education at our sister PASSHE institution, Bloomsburg University, and completed her professional preparation at Lehigh University with her doctorate. She was a highly productive teacher in the region and assumed numerous leadership positions in the Centennial School. Dr. Scala arrived at ESU in 1992 and assumed the role of Department Chair in 2005 and continues in that role today.

Dr. Scala has been recognized throughout her career as a leader. In 2015, she was inducted into the Berwick Area School District Academic Hall of Fame and in 2020 was named The Harriet Selznick CASE International Outstanding Special Education Administrator. Kappa Delta Pi Honor Fraternity recognized Dr. Scala three times as the “Professor of the Year”.

Scala has presented over 50 papers at state, regional, national, and international conferences. Many of these papers included significant contributions into practice guidelines and policy changes within the field of Special Education and Mental Health. She authored a number of peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and served as a content specialist reviewer for a number of textbooks. Dr. Scala has secured over $3.5 million dollars in grant funding over her career which moved the field forward with innovative deliverables.

Dr. Scala is truly student-centered. Her teaching evaluations and testimonials depict her as a mentor with the ability to challenge students while providing the support necessary for the student to move forward toward their career goals. She has taught over 20 different courses and continues to consult with area school districts related to best practice.

Dr. Scala is tireless in her commitment to the student, department, college, university and discipline. She is a leader on-campus, within the state, nationally as well as in her discipline. Dr. Scala continues to pursue her daily responsibilities to our students with the energy and passion of 1992.

For more information about the Distinguished Professor Award, contact the APSCUF office at (570) 422-3278.

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