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Growing up in Aurora, Colorado, Jinjae Han had originally decided on ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ because she wanted to stay close to my family. Now, Han is grateful to have picked Boulder. 

As a senior in high school, Han wasn't sure on what she wanted to do. At CU, she ended up switching majors into Middle and High School Teaching. After a conversation with her mother, she was reminded of her career of choice as a kid: wanting to be a teacher.

Han, the 2026 Outstanding Contribution to Community Engagement award recipient, is now student teaching. At her school, she quickly built strong relationships with her students and has numerous opportunities to learn. 

“She recognized the importance of seeing students as whole humans with lives and communities outside of the school, which meant paying attention to and being aware of how ICE raids were directly and indirectly impacting her students’ lives,” said Ashley Cartun, director of secondary humanities, associate teaching professor and award nominator for Han. 

“She also embodies commitments to justice and equity in her approaches to curriculum and pedagogy. For example, she designed a unit for her students that was explicitly designed to incorporate primary sources of African Americans to question dominant narratives about Reconstruction in the United States. Those who are lucky enough to enter Jinjae’s orbit get to experience the authenticity, vulnerability, asset-based mindset and joy she brings to her communities. ”

Han enjoys growing interdisciplinary connections and during her time at CU, she regularly attended extracurricular ethnic studies events on campus and engaged with communities outside of CU to grow and learn. 

Currently for her Practitioner Inquiry Project project, Han is investigating how cultivating peer-to-peer relationships contributes to a caring and democratic classroom community. She hopes she can find a teaching job either in a middle or high school. 

Han's advice for students and fellow future teachers? “Don't let perfectionism keep you from enjoying the experience of learning.”

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

I am from Aurora, CO and I decided on ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ because I wanted to stay close to my family. However, I am so grateful to have picked CU. Initially, as a senior in high school I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, and eventually I switched from the major I applied for and decided to pursue teaching. When I talked to my mom about it she told me that when I was little I used to say I wanted to be a teacher.

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

In some ways, ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ has taught me more about other people than it has about any sort of curriculum. I am so grateful for having met so many lovely people here. I am also grateful to have learned how to better interact with and be a safe person for students. College gives opportunities for so many different kinds of human connection, and my time at CU has really shown me what to prioritize. 

What does graduating from ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ represent for you or your family/community?

Honestly my mom deserves this degree almost more than me. I could have never done this without her unwavering support and reassurances. I love her so much and am grateful for her. Additionally, I am Asian American and can say that I have only ever had one teacher that looked like me. In my experiences at CU this has been reinforced by the fact that I am one of a handful of students of color in the program. 

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

Don't let perfectionism keep you from enjoying the experience of learning. 

What are your next steps after graduation?

I would really love a teaching job somewhere, either in middle or high school.