Ball State University Professor Dr. Liu Li Honored with Statewide Lifetime Career Award

Topics: Awards, College of Sciences and Humanities, Faculty

November 12, 2025

Dr. Liu Li, associate professor of Chinese in Ball State University's Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 William Hatfield Distinguished Lifetime World Language Career Award from the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association (IFLTA).

This prestigious honor recognizes an IFLTA member whose lifelong dedication has made significant contributions to world language education at the national, state, and local levels. Recipients are selected for sharing their expertise through teaching, scholarship, and professional service that advances the study and teaching of world languages across Indiana.

Dr. Li was formally recognized during the Global and Multil-IN-gual Celebration of Success Gala at the IFLTA Annual Conference on Nov. 7 in Indianapolis.

"I am deeply honored and thrilled to receive this award," Dr. Li said. "This achievement would not have been possible without the support of my department chair, colleagues, and students. Their dedication over the years has been invaluable, and I look forward to celebrating with everyone."

Dr. Li joined Ball State after earning her Ph.D. in second language acquisition from Carnegie Mellon University. Her research focuses on literacy development in Chinese as a second language, computer-assisted language learning, Business Chinese pedagogy, bilingualism, and psycholinguistics.

She has led numerous initiatives advancing the study of Chinese language and culture, including a federal STARTALK grant to increase the number of American students learning Chinese-a critical language for the United States. Dr. Li previously earned the 2021 Teacher of the Year award from the Chinese Language Teachers Association of Indiana.

"This honor reflects the enormous impact Dr. Li has made at the local, state, and national levels, uplifting world language education across Indiana and beyond," said Dr. Jennifer Rathbun, professor of Spanish and chair of Ball State's Department of Modern Languages and Cultures. "Her expertise has inspired teachers and students alike through countless conferences, workshops, and panels. We are incredibly proud to see her contributions recognized so meaningfully."

Israel F. Herrera, chair of the IFLTA Awards Committee, noted that the selection committee "unanimously voted to recognize Dr. Li for her distinguished and continuous contributions to world language education in Indiana." He highlighted her leadership as IFLTA Teacher of the Year Chair, vice president of Ball State's Asian American and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association (AAPI), STARTALK program leader, student mentor, and respected Chinese professor whose work "continues to elevate the profession and enrich the community."

The Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association is an all-volunteer organization formed in 1969 to serve teachers of world languages in the state of Indiana. The organization provides professional development opportunities, advocates for world language education, and supports a statewide network of educators dedicated to promoting global understanding.