UCLA Professor Receives Faculty Career Development Award

The grant supports research by Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen into music teacher education and professional belonging.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Scholarships

Gouache-painted illustration of a wooden violin on a music stand, evoking the quiet, contemplative nature of academic music research. — UCLA assistant professor Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen received a Faculty Career Development Award to fund research into professional belonging for music educators. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

UCLA Assistant Professor of Music Education Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen has been awarded a Faculty Career Development Award. The funding will support her research project focused on professional belonging within music education.

Why it matters

The project addresses the critical need for support during the transition from university preparation to professional music teaching. It aims to bridge the gap between academic training and active career practice.

The award covers the 2026-2027 academic year and is issued by the UCLA Office of Inclusive Excellence. It specifically funds a project titled Beyond Graduation: Extending Music Teacher Education Through Belonging and Communities of Inquiry.

The players

Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen

She serves as an Assistant Professor of Music Education at UCLA and is the recipient of this research award.

UCLA Office of Inclusive Excellence

This university department is responsible for issuing the Faculty Career Development Award to support faculty research.

The details

The research project connects music teaching professionals at various career stages through communities of inquiry. It facilitates deep reflection on teaching practices to improve long-term professional development.

The award covers the 2026-2027 academic year.

Culture Shift

The UCLA Faculty Career Development Award program supports academic research by providing financial resources to assistant professors for career advancement. This project marks the latest inclusion of music education research within the broader portfolio of the university.

The research findings will likely influence how music educators in the Los Angeles area are mentored and trained. Local university students entering the teaching profession may see improvements in how their career transition is supported.

The takeaway

Focusing on community building within a profession can significantly ease the transition for new educators. Professionals in any field can benefit from seeking out similar peer-to-peer inquiry groups to navigate early career challenges.