The Community Engagement Performance Awards were launched in April 2022 to recognize selected faculty of the Lam Family College of Business for outstanding achievements in community engagement activities that have a meaningful and positive impact on a community.
These awards are supported by the Lam-Larsen Fund for Global Innovation established through a generous gift from alum Chris Larsen (B.S., ’84), the Lam-Larsen family, and Rippleworks Foundation. The Award Selection Committee consists of LFCoB faculty members and a community member/alum. Read about this year’s award recipient(s) and a few examples of their exceptional community engagement accomplishments:
2023-2024 Community Engagement Performance Awards Recipients
Lena Yang, Ph.D.
Accounting Assistant Professor Lena Yang received the 2023 Performance Award for her impactful contributions to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The program connects Accounting students with diverse community taxpayers and partners, such as United Way Bay Area and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), while facilitating students’ professional growth. VITA has grown exponentially under Yang’s advisory role over the past few years, growing from preparing over 100 federal tax returns each year to now over 750 returns. The SF State chapter of the VITA program has received a Certificate of Recognition from the IRS.