Keith Curry Undergraduate Award: Jenny Youn

At the UCI School of Education's 2019 Doctoral Student Recognition Ceremony, Associate Professor Stephanie Reich invited Dr. Keith Curry, CEO of Compton Community College District and School of Education Alumnus, to come forward for the presentation of the Keith Curry Undergraduate Award.

Stephanie Reich Presentation Text

I am delighted to introduce the undergraduate recipient of the Keith Curry Award, Jenny Youn. Jenny is a junior majoring in Education Sciences and is specializing in English Language Learning and Children’s Learning and Development. Jenny is a first-generation student that transferred to UCI after completing Associate degrees in Arts for Liberal Studies in Teacher Education and for Social and Behavior Sciences from local Orange County Community Colleges. She has shown true grit, excellence in her academics, and dedication to the community. 

Jenny’s family immigrated to the United States when she was very young. As Jenny pursued her educational pathway, she also had to balance financial struggles her family faced while overcoming instances of bullying in her school environment. These hurdles only drove Jenny to rise above to success academically and personally through school and organizations, all while working full time to help support her family. Jenny is passionate about education and her future in teaching. She aspires to be a teacher and is focused on giving back to her community and serving as a mentor to students in need.

Currently, Jenny is in the UCI Campuswide Honors Program, continually on the Dean’s Honor List, a member of Kappa Delta Phi International Honor Society, Tau Sigma National Honor Society for university transfer students, and National Society of Leadership and Success.

Dr. Keith Curry & Jenny Youn