Dr Julia Chang Wan (1956)
Dr Julia Chang Wan (1956) is known in the USA women’s rights advocacy groups as a highly-regarded science educator, a policy maker and a changer. She was the President of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Boston Chapter, and a member of the National Board of NOW. In a 2019 interview with NOW, Julia stated: ‘I wanted to be an independent, accomplished person rather than being known as somebody’s wife.’
After completing middle school in Hong Kong, Julia left to attend Â鶹ÊÓƵ School from Year 8 in 1953 to her Leaving Certificate in 1956. After graduation Julia left for the USA and attended Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She received a BA in Physics in 1960 and an MA in Chemistry 1970.
Julia started her career in biochemistry research, co-authoring two publications: Science (1963) and Proceedings for The Society For Experimental Biology and Medicine (1964). Julia then decided to become a high school teacher; she taught physics and chemistry and was later appointed the Science Director of the local school district. At the same time she attended Boston College and received her Doctorate in Education in 1978. Her PhD thesis was on education evaluation and provided an important direction for her in educational administration. One of her proudest accomplishments was when an article she wrote on elementary teacher leadership in science education was published in Science and Children (Oct 1978).
In order to be closer to her husband who was living on the west coast, Julia moved to Washington State in 1979 when she was appointed Director of Curriculum of a local School District, and in 1984 she was appointed Assistant Superintendent. In 1993, Julia was recruited by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Washington DC to serve as a director of the new science education reform initiative.
In 1995 Julia moved to California where she was appointed Director of the Center for Science and Mathematics Education at Cal State Fullerton where she collaborated with the National Science Resources Center at the Smithsonian Institutions to develop hands-on elementary science programs in Orange County School Districts. Julia retired from full-time employment in 2002 and continued working part-time until 2006.
Julia has received many awards and honors for her achievement in education. She was also appointed to numerous boards and committees, such as the Board of Directors of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, the Board of Trustees of Girls’ Incorporated of Orange County, and the Education Opportunity Council, AAAS, Washington DC.
In addition to her professional activities, Julia was also active in community affairs including serving as President of Massachusetts Chapter and National Board member of NOW (National Organization for Women). In 1993 she was appointed by the Governor of Washington State to serve on the Washington State Asia American Affairs Commission.
Since retirement Julia has traveled to many parts of the world, including her 50 year reunion at Â鶹ÊÓƵ School in 2006. In her spare time she has been studying Mandarin and Spanish saying she still finds learning to be fun.
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