LEXINGTON, Ky. — Yeonjung Kang, an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is among 10 educators recognized with the university's 2026 Outstanding Teaching Awards, according to UK News.

Kang, who teaches in the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management, was selected for the award through a nomination and review process conducted by the UK Provost's Office for Faculty Advancement and the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching. The honors recognize faculty and graduate teaching assistants who demonstrate exceptional dedication to student achievement.

Her teaching philosophy centers on what she calls the CARE framework: Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Real-World Relevance, and an Equity-Oriented Approach. In the classroom, this translates to case studies, scenario-based learning, and industry-partnered projects that connect theory to practice. She has collaborated with the Elwood Hotel, a boutique hotel located on South Broadway near downtown Lexington, on an AI-enhanced hospitality marketing project that benefited students while providing practical experience.

Prior to joining academia, Kang worked in the hospitality industry at major companies including Aramark. Her research focuses on branding and service experience management within the hospitality sector, with published work appearing in journals including the International Journal of Hospitality Management and Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research.

Kang emphasized that her approach to teaching is rooted in caring for students as future hospitality leaders. "My role is to resonate with that value, nurture it, and help them see how powerful it can be in hospitality," she said in an interview about the award.

Six faculty members and four graduate teaching assistants received the 2026 Outstanding Teaching Awards. Each recipient was honored at an April 30 campus ceremony with an award certificate, a commemorative engraved gift and a cash award.