KAUPA Lifetime Research Achievement Award 

This award recognizes a KAUPA member for lifetime contributions to outstanding scholarship and research. It honors a distinguished individual who has demonstrated leadership in a specialized field and significantly advanced academic knowledge through sustained publications.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership in a specialized field and high standards in research analysis.

• Significant contributions to the body of knowledge.

• An established record of high-quality scholarly work for at least 15 years in refereed academic journals.

• A minimum of 10 years of active research following the terminal degree.

• Tenured faculty member with associate or full professor rank (or equivalent).

• Proven record of mentoring graduate students or untenured faculty.

• Active KAUPA membership for three consecutive years.

• Consistent participation in KAUPA activities.

Notes:

• Nominee must be a KAUPA member at the time of nomination and at the time of receiving the award.

• Past recipients are not eligible for nomination.

 

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Champion of KAUPA Award 

This prestigious award honors a corporation, organization, or individual who has demonstrated longstanding commitment and support for initiatives advancing the KAUPA mission.

Qualifications:

• Outstanding, continuous service to KAUPA for at least 3 years.

• Demonstrated meaningful leadership within KAUPA (not necessarily as a Board member).

• A record of lifetime professional accomplishment.

• Active KAUPA membership and ongoing participation in KAUPA activities.

Notes:

• Nominee must be a KAUPA member at the time of nomination and when the award is received.

• This award may be received only once by a KAUPA member.

• It recognizes a lifetime of achievement and dedicated support to KAUPA.

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KAUPA Faculty Collegiality Award 

This award recognizes a KAUPA member who has shown a longstanding commitment to fostering collegiality among peers.

Criteria:

• Demonstrates strong team-building skills in support of colleagues.

• Actively supports peers in teaching, research, and service both on campus and externally.

• Contributes to the advancement of Korean American education and scholarship.

• Provides selfless service to the KAUPA community.

 

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KAUPA Best Paper Award 

This award honors an outstanding conference article that makes a significant contribution to the field of Korean American education and research.

Eligibility:

• Submission must be part of the entries for the 2026 KAUP conference.

• The paper should be sole or co-authored by KAUPA members.

• It must demonstrate innovation, impact, and scholarly rigor.

Notes:

• The conference review committee will evaluate all submissions and decide collectively on the recipient.

 

We look forward to celebrating excellence at the 2026 KAUPA Conference in San Antonio, Texas!