Yang “Wendy” Liu Award for Excellence in Teaching 2023
Her pure honesty and intention was always felt by students and colleagues alike. To know Wendy was to be a better you.”
About Wendy
The Yang Liu Award for Excellence in Teaching International Students was created in memory of Yang (Wendy) Liu in recognition of her leadership among IP-IALC faculty in a number of capacities.
Wendy was an Office of International Program’s Intensive American Language Center (IALC) faculty member who taught Intensive English at WSU for nearly a decade. She was a bilingual Chinese/English speaker with a fervent passion for teaching Intensive English. She loved WSU, her students, and the IALC faculty.
Wendy demonstrated grace, empathy, and excellence in her teaching and service to the university. She helped pioneer many of our best practices in working with Eastern Asian students and helped engage students and faculty outside of the classroom. She always paid particular attention to creating an excellent teaching and learning environment for linguistically and culturally diverse students.
Wendy passed away from complications due to cancer in 2019.
Wendy’s life calls on us to be our best selves, to give to our students freely, and to look at each and every person in their best possible light.
Our 2023 award winner
Nairanjana (Jan) Dasgupta, PhD, Director and Professor of Data Analytics, WSU Pullman
Jan Dasgupta, PhD, director and professor of data analytics at WSU Pullman, has been named the 2023 recipient of the Yang “Wendy” Liu Award for Excellence in Teaching International Students.
In nominating Dasgupta for the award, Freeman Chen noted, “Professor Jan is an exceptional teacher who goes above and beyond to support and engage international students in their learning. …As a volunteer in four data camps led by Professor Nairanjana Dasgupta, I witnessed her deep understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusivity in teaching. …Through these camps, Professor Jan demonstrated a solid commitment to creating a welcoming environment that encourages students from diverse backgrounds to participate and engage.”
About Dr. Dasgupta
I was an international student myself and I can relate to how strange it can be to learn, even the basics, in a different cultural environment. When I came here years ago, I remember I was bewildered, confused, and everything seemed different. I received a lot of “kindness from strangers” and my professors as I settled in. My aim is to pay that forward with my international students. My everyday life mantra is what I call “K4,” i.e. “candor, kindness and confidence and candy.” I am very open and candid with my students and strive to instill confidence in them. I try to always be kind, and if all fails, my students know I always have candy with me.
Jan Dasgupta
- Boeing Distinguished Professor of Science and Mathematics and Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
- Director of the Data Analytics Program
- Fellow of American Statistical Association (ASA) since 2018
- Member of the Advisory Board for Academic Data Science Alliance (ADSA) since 2020
- President for Caucus for Women in Stats (CWS) for 2022
- Faculty Fellow for Data Sciences at WSU since 2021
I am vocal about lack of equity in Data Sciences and a passionate advocate for data literacy for all. I have been trying to organize “data camps” in underserved communities in an effort to spread data literacy. See A Date with Data: Stepping Toward Data Literacy | Amstat News
I was trained as a mathematical statistician but have moved over time toward interdisciplinary research with a focus on practical, feasible but mathematically sound solutions to real life data problems. I received my BS in Statistics from Presidency College (now Presidency University), Kolkata, India. My MS and PhD are in Stats from the University of South Carolina. Washington State University has been my one and only employer.
I have an active research profile and have been funded by NIST, NSF, NIH and am currently co-PI on 2 funded grants (NIH) and PI for 2 grants from the Washington Employment Security and Achievement Council. I have published more than 65 papers and have chaired 80 graduate student committees.
My current research is on using ranking-selection ideas to look at large scale multiplicity related to “omics” studies. I am currently writing a book on analysis of ordinal data. I serve on the editorial board of The American Statistician and served on Journal of Statistical Computations and Simulations until 2016.
I am an involved mother, and actively advocate for learning disabilities, special education, and mental health awareness. I strongly believe that the learning process is different for each person and as a teacher I try to understand how best to teach a diverse group of students.
I enjoy reading, poetry, art, crocheting, and cooking, especially using Indian spices in other cuisines.
The nomination
I strongly recommend Professor Nairanjana (Jan) Dasgupta for the “Yang Liu Award for Excellence in Teaching International Students.” Professor Jan is an exceptional teacher who goes above and beyond to support and engage international students in their learning. I had the pleasure of being a student in Professor Jan’s class for Stats 530, and she is also the Chair of the Data Analytics department.
As a volunteer in four data camps led by Professor Nairanjana Dasgupta, I witnessed her deep understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusivity in teaching. The purpose of these data camps was to advocate for the importance of data literacy to young generations and their parents by transitioning data teaching into games and fun activities that involved fundamental data-driven decision-making. Through these camps, Professor Jan demonstrated a solid commitment to creating a welcoming environment that encourages students from diverse backgrounds to participate and engage.
Furthermore, Professor Jan is highly skilled in adapting her teaching methods to meet the needs and preferences of international students. She uses a variety of instructional strategies to cater to different learning styles and preferences, ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. She has created a welcoming environment for all students to ask questions and seek clarification, which is particularly valuable for international students who may face language or cultural barriers.
Finally, Professor Jan is a dedicated and approachable mentor who actively supports international students’ academic and personal success. She provides feedback and guidance on assignments and offers career and professional development advice. She always makes time to meet with her students and takes the time to understand their individual needs and goals, providing better guidance and mentorship.
In conclusion, I believe Professor Nairanjana (Jan) Dasgupta is a deserving candidate for the “Yang Liu Award for Excellence in Teaching International Students.” Her commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment, adapting her teaching methods to meet the needs of international students, and mentoring students to achieve their goals, sets her apart as an outstanding professor.
Submitted by Freeman Chen, Data Analytics
2023 Outstanding Senior, College of Arts and Sciences
The first Yang Liu Award for Excellence in Teaching International Students recipient is Bala Krishnamoorthy, PhD, professor of mathematics and statistics at WSU Vancouver.