Escalera Wins 2026 Morningstar Family Teaching Award

The Harvard Graduate School of Education has announced that Lecturer Liya Escalera, Ed.M.’09, will receive the 2026 Morningstar Family Teaching Award, presented annually to an Ed School faculty member who makes an outstanding impact on their students and the Harvard community.

Escalera, a cornerstone of HGSE’s Higher Education Concentration as well as its Online Master’s in Education Leadership Program, has more than two decades of experience in higher education governance, leadership, and creating vibrant, inclusive, and equitable learning environments in which all students can thrive.

“Teaching at HGSE brings me so much joy. The passion, dedication, and wisdom of HGSE students amazes me,” said Escalera. “Learning alongside them over the past two years, listening to their stories, responding to their questions, and engaging their interests, experiences, and ideas has made me a more curious, critical, and hopeful educator. To be recognized by them as someone who has contributed to their learning and supported their success is a true honor.”

Chosen each year based on student nominations, this year’s Morningstar winner saw outstanding praise for their teaching, advising, and impact on the HGSE community. Student nominations for Escalera described her "unwavering commitment” to her students, a “deeply knowledgeable” approach to the challenges facing higher education, and the “exceptional” and “life-changing” work she’s done as an academic adviser, teacher, and mentor in her two years on the HGSE faculty.  

“The Morningstar Family Teaching Award is our highest teaching and advising honor, and Liya so clearly exemplifies its spirit,” said Dean Nonie Lesaux. “Her students rave about the inclusive and positive classroom environment she builds, speak highly of her passion and dedication to improving educational opportunity, especially for underserved populations, and are inspired by her intellectual leadership in higher education. Liya is a remarkable scholar, teacher, and mentor, and we are fortunate to have her in our HGSE community.”

A number of student nominations noted Escalera’s grounded methods of practice and a willingness to share her own educational journey, which creates a sense of belonging that manages to stand out on a campus full of accomplished researchers and educators.

“When I arrived at HGSE, I was filled with uncertainty about whether I would be able to find a sense of belonging in a place that has brought together accomplished individuals from all sectors of education,” wrote one student. “Being passionate about college access, persistence, and completion, especially for underserved, low-income, first-gen students, meeting Dr. Liya Escalera has been life-changing.”

Students lauded Escalera for always making space on her calendar to meet with students, including those not advised directly by her. Particular praise was given to her community college-focused classes and her honesty about the variety of challenges across the modern college landscape.

“Dr. Escalera is deeply knowledgeable about the many themes and challenges facing higher education. Her courses are among the most comprehensive I have taken at HGSE,” wrote one student. “She thoughtfully blends pedagogical approaches, balancing lectures with interactive group activities, guest speakers, and intentional time for reflection. As a student who has had their share of academic burnout and anxiety over the years, Dr. Escalera has been able to help me find joy and wonder in learning as a student again.”

Escalera joined the faculty in 2024 after serving as vice provost for student equity, access, and success at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She also served as associate dean of academic affairs and dean of behavioral, social sciences and global learning at Bunker Hill Community College. She also held positions at Fisher College and The New England Institute of Art.

Noting that teaching is a “deeply collaborative” endeavor, Escalera thanked many students and alumni who served as teaching fellows and made significant contributions to her courses, including Caroline Tucker, Danny Rojas, Victoria Nguyen, Gabby Arismendi, Michael Bryann Gaetos, Chassity Coston, and John Anderson. She also thanked her Equity and Opportunity co-teacher, Lecturer Jaein Lee, and many of her colleagues and mentors in the Ed School community.

“It’s not an easy time to be an educator. The last several years have demanded that educators reflect on and respond to complex challenges, including public distrust of higher education and attacks on core academic values,” Escalera said. “Despite these challenges, or perhaps because of them, I am so appreciative of the opportunity to engage in critical hope and joy of learning in community with my students — to ask daring questions, explore ideas, and imagine new possibilities. It is a gift to learn that this approach, in the tradition of so many critical scholars before me, matters to HGSE students.”

Established in 2000 with a gift from Faith Morningstar, Ed.M.’87, Ed.D.’96, and her husband, the Honorable Richard Morningstar, an alumnus of Harvard College, the Morningstar Family Teaching Award is intended to recognize faculty members that help create supportive environments for their students.

Current faculty members who have received the Morningstar Family Teaching Award include Professors Andrew Ho, Jal Mehta, Paul Harris, Bridget Long, and Monica Higgins; Professor of Practice Karen Brennan; Lecturers David Dockterman, Alexis Redding, Gretchen Brion-Meisels, Aaliyah El-Amin, and Joe McIntyre; Senior Lecturers Joe Blatt, Elizabeth City, and Kathryn Boudett; and Principal Research Scientist Tina Grotzer.