Crafton Hills College Professor Selected for Prestigious Television Academy Fellowship

Publish Date: Oct. 21, 2026

Crafton Hills College Sociology and Ethnic Studies Professor Nancy Wang Yuen has been selected as a 2026 Alex Trebek Legacy Fellow by the Television Academy Foundation. Yuen is one of just 18 educators from colleges and universities nationwide chosen for the prestigious fellowship, which recognizes faculty who are helping shape the next generation of media professionals.

The fellowship provides support for educators from community colleges and minority-serving institutions to attend the Television Academy Foundation’s annual Media Educators Conference, held October 21–23 at the Television Academy’s campus in North Hollywood. The three-day conference brings together educators and entertainment industry leaders for seminars and discussions exploring the latest developments in television production, storytelling, technology and the business of entertainment.

Established in 2021 by the Harry & Judy Friedman Family Foundation, the fellowship honors the legacy of beloved Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek and his commitment to education.

Yuen brings an impressive background in media research, representation and diversity to her work at Crafton Hills College. She is the author of Reel Inequality: Hollywood Actors and Racism and co-author of The Prevalence and Portrayal of Asian and Pacific Islanders Across 1,300 Popular Films. Her research examines racial representation in Hollywood and the experiences of underrepresented communities in the entertainment industry.

A nationally recognized expert, Yuen has appeared on PBS, NPR, MSNBC, BBC World and Turner Classic Movies. She has also consulted on diversity issues for major entertainment companies, including Amazon, Disney, DreamWorks, Lionsgate and Netflix. Her writing has appeared in CNN, Elle, the Los Angeles Times, NBC, Newsweek, Today and Vanity Fair.

Yuen recently completed the second edition of Reel Inequality, scheduled for publication in March 2027, and is currently writing a memoir exploring her life through the films and television programs that shaped her experiences.

Her selection for the Alex Trebek Legacy Fellowship highlights the expertise Crafton Hills College faculty bring to the classroom and their continued engagement with research, industry leaders and national conversations. Through opportunities like the Media Educators Conference, faculty gain new perspectives and connections that enrich the educational experience for Crafton students.