Joy Gaston Gayles Recognized with Prestigious AERA Award

April 28, 2025 - 17:33

Joy Gaston Gayles, the head of the NC State College of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development, has earned the esteemed Distinguished Senior Scholar Award from the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Research Focus on Education and Sport (RFES) Special Interest Group (SIG). This accolade honors her significant contributions to the field of education and her research that intersects with sports.

Gayles's work has been pivotal in advancing the understanding of how educational environments impact student athletes and the broader implications for policy and practice. Her dedication to enhancing educational leadership and promoting equity in higher education has not only influenced her students but has also made a lasting impact on the academic community.

As an Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor of higher education, Gayles continues to inspire future leaders and researchers. This recognition by AERA underscores her commitment to excellence and her role as a leading voice in educational research related to sports.