About the award

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​​The Jae-won Lee Distinguished Service Award was first established in 2018 to honor Dr. Jae-won Lee (Professor Emeritus Cleveland State), the founder and a two-time president of Korean American Communication Association (KACA) through a generous donation from Dr. Lee’s family.

 

Dr. Lee, an inspiring role model and dedicated mentor to countless Korean and non-Korean students and scholars, is remembered for his lifelong commitment to KACA’s mission. The purpose of this award is to recognize a person who has demonstrated many years of extraordinary service and steadfast commitment to the mission of KACA, carrying forward Dr. Lee’s legacy. Unlike other KACA awards, the applications for this award will be reviewed separately by the KACA Jae-won Lee Distinguished Service Award Committee, a group of senior KACA members who are appointed by Dr. Lee’s family.

 

The award winners will be recognized at the KACA Business Meeting at the Korean American Communication Association (KACA) conference. The recognition includes a monetary award of $500.

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Nomination Guidelines

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Self-Nomination:

Email the documents as a single PDF file:

1. Curriculum Vitae: Highlighting service activities and evidence of outstanding contributions to KACA, academy, and/or university.

2. Personal Statement: In less than 1,000 words, address the following questions...

• "Describe how your service and contributions to KACA have helped realize Dr. Lee’s long-term vision of KACA becoming a premier organization for Korean and non-Korean students and scholars.” 

• “How are your records of service and contribution toward KACA closely aligned with as well as foster Dr. Lee’s long-term vision for KACA as an organization for Korean and non-Korean students and scholars?"

1. References: Provide names & contact information of two References.

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Nominate Someone:

• Email a 300-500 word description of the nominee to the Award Committee Chair.

• In acceptance of the nomination, the nominee will be asked to submit documents listed in the self-nomination option.

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Deadline:

KACA Jae-won Lee Distinguished Service Award Committee is accepting nominations for up to 2 awards this year. Deadline is June 1, 2026.

 

Qualification:

The nominee(s) and nominator(s) must be current KACA members.

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For further information:
Taehyun Kim, Ph.D.
Awards Committee Chair
Email: taehyun.kim@csun.edu
Tel: (818) 427-8875

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Jae-won Lee Distinguished Service Award recipients:

2020: Dr. Seungahn Nah (University of Florida)

2024: Dr. Jinae Kang (East Carolina University)

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Submit nominations to:

Dr. Taehyun Kim (taehyun.kim@csun.edu)