Byler Faculty Award Recognizes Professor Chang’s Excellence in Teaching and Service

UCM President Roger Best, right, presents the 2026 Byler Distinguished Faculty Award to
Professor Joyce Chang during the award reception on April 27 in the Elliott Student Union.

 

An educator who exemplifies excellence in teaching, scholarship and service, Joyce Chang, Ph.D., is the recipient of the 2026 Byler Distinguished Faculty Award at the University of Central Missouri (UCM).

The Byler Award is considered the highest university recognition for faculty members. It is presented each spring in honor of its namesake, William H. Byler, an inventor, author and teacher who graduated from UCM in 1927 with a major in chemistry and physics. He established an endowment fund to provide annual recognition for distinguished faculty performance, evidenced by teaching, scholarly or creative activity and professional-related service.

Chang has served on the UCM faculty since 1997, earning her full professor rank in 2006. She is currently a professor of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS).

 

“For someone who loves to learn, loves research, being a professor is a dream job,” Chang said. “You are teaching, inspiring students. You’re supporting students and also staying current with your scholarship. My interest is really broad, but they are always about human behaviors and family dynamics, and UCM gave me this freedom to pursue my research interests.”

Chang knows that every student is different and that learning styles vary, so she has expanded her knowledge and skills to make her classes more inclusive and accessible. She incorporates creative and fun class activities to promote critical thinking, enhance the application of theory, recognize value differences and encourage interpersonal communication and collaboration. 

Under her guidance, students created the Consent Cow Project and organized activities to promote awareness of consent and healthy relationships. Since its inception, the project has reached about 200 people in person and 3,000 via social media each semester. Students have called the project one of their most memorable activities. 

As an early adopter of innovations in teaching and technology, she was among the first in her department to offer online courses and use simulators. The Office of Digital Learning and Instructional Innovation (DLII) has become a valued partner for Chang, as they work together to create virtual reality activities to supplement learning.

Within her department, she has advanced process improvements and established the foundation for a comprehensive program assessment plan, which contributed to successful certification and accreditation. Chang was also among the founding members who supported the creation of the HDFS graduate degree.

Chang’s passion for education and HDFS has gone far beyond the Warrensburg campus, and on numerous occasions, she has either collaborated, taught or presented with colleagues from around the world.

Along with professional recognitions, Chang has received numerous awards while at UCM, including the Outstanding Academic Advisor Award, the Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Research awards from the College of Education, and two Harmon PIECES awards from the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies. 

Chang pursues her own scholarly activities, including leading research projects and grant proposals and reviewing manuscripts for academic journals, as well as guiding students’ research and thesis projects. Her work has been published in numerous publications, and she has presented at state and national conferences. 

 

“Joyce Chang has been one of the best examples of how to balance taking care of students, taking care of the profession and then also being on the cutting edge of research,” said Ryan Peterson, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Human Services. “It’s just something that any faculty member really should emulate.”

As a model of “Education for Service,” Chang has served on numerous UCM committees and in leadership positions. Her leadership service includes president of the College Faculty Assembly, co-chair of the Integrity Chapter, vice president of University Women, and president of Phi Beta Delta International Scholars’ Society. She is currently the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies liaison to DLII and a member of the Artificial Intelligence Committee. She has also made significant contributions to the National Council on Family Relations and served in several leadership roles.

Colleagues who wrote in support of Chang’s nomination said she laid the foundation for the HDFS program’s growth into the successful program that it is today. Program faculty see Chang as an innovator and faculty role model who has demonstrated the highest level of commitment to UCM, students and her field. 

Through mentorship of junior faculty and support for colleagues across departments, she has strengthened UCM’s academic community, contributing to a culture of collaboration and excellence.

A former student said Chang is one of the most engaging professors they’d ever had, noting that she continuously provided opportunities for active learning, fun and informative activities and invited students to experience new types of learning. 

Chang said her Byler Award recognition reflects the collective efforts of the entire HDFS department in supporting students. 

 

“Seeing students be confident, competent is extremely rewarding,” she said. “And I would like to think maybe I have a little thing to do with their success. Maybe I contribute to making this world just a little bit better.”

Chang earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Western Oregon University. She also earned a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in Psychology, Statistics, and Women’s Studies and a doctoral degree in Human Development and Family Sciences, both from Oregon State University.

Chang will be recognized and offer brief remarks during the graduate commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9 in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center. She was also recognized during the UCM Board of Governors meeting on April 24 and during the Byler Award reception on April 27. Additionally, she will deliver the keynote address at Freshman Convocation on Aug. 14.

Keshav Bhattarai, Ph.D., professor of Geoscience; Nicole Higgins, Ph.D., assistant professor of English and director of Africana Studies; Selene Nikaido, Ph.D., associate professor of Biology (Genetics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics); Cassandra Dawn Pauling, Ph.D., assistant professor of Biology (Wildlife Diseases, Immunology); Karrie Snider, Ph.D., associate dean of the College of Education and associate professor of Early Childhood Education; and Carla Williams, Ed.D., associate professor of Early Childhood Education were also nominated for the Byler Award.