Yan
Liang

General Information

Email:
yan.liang@gatech.edu
Phone:
404-894-3152
Location - Building:
CCB
Location - Room:
308D
Roles:
Research Faculty
Primary Unit:
College of Computing

Details

Degrees with subject and Postdoc Experience:
Degree Type
Ph.D.
Subject
Chemistry
Year
2009
Institution
Emory University
Location
Atlanta, Georgia
Degree Type
M.S.
Subject
Learning Technology and Instructional Design
Year
2016
Institution
Georgia State University
Location
Atlanta, Georgia
Degree Type
MPH
Subject
Health Management
Year
2020
Institution
Augusta University
Location
August, Georgia
Degree Type
B.S.
Subject
Chemistry
Year
1999
Institution
Beijing Normal University
Location
Beijing, China
Degree Type
Postdoctoral Scholar
Subject
Biomedicine
Year
2009-2013
Institution
Emory University
Location
Atlanta, Georgia
Statement of Research Interests:

Dr. Liang’s current research interests focus on assessment, evaluation, and accreditation in higher education, with particular attention to how evidence-based practices inform continuous improvement. Her work also explores experiential learning and other high-impact practices as mechanisms for deep, transferable learning. She is committed to advancing holistic approaches to education that support student intelligence, success, and overall well-being.

Statement of Teaching Interests:

Dr. Liang is interested in teaching chemistry, first-seminar and VIP courses that prepare students not only for academic success but also for future life and career pathways. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes curiosity-driven inquiry, learner agency, and student-centered learning model, in which students actively construct knowledge rather than passively receive it. Ultimately, she seeks to create an inclusive learning environment that supports students’ social and emotional growth alongside their intellectual development.

Selection of recent research, scholarly, and creative activities:

1. Belt, E., Rogers, S., Liang, Y., & Rojas, W. (2025). Exploring Adjunct Faculty Emotional Labor and Online Teacher-Student Relationships, The 50th Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network in Higher Education Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, Nov. 20-23.

2. Liang, Y. (2023). Using Critical Reflection to Cultivate Paraprofessional Competencies: A Pilot Workshop, The 52nd Annual Conference of the Society for Experiential Education (SEE), Orlando, FL, Sept. 25-27.

3. Liang, Y. (2022). Learning as Activity: Underpreparedness is an Academic Issue or a Behavioral Issue? Strategies and Discussion on Teaching Underprepared Students, Faculty Development Day, Georgia State University Perimeter College, Decatur, GA, Feb 4.

4. Stepleman, L., Liang, Y., Coleman, T., Nall, H., Williams, M., Samuels, S., & Zimmerman, D. (2022). Mentoring Minutes: A Collection of Brief Overviews of Evidence-Based Mentoring Practices. Augusta University: Scholarly Commons.