Zhuoa He

Special Education

Zhuoya He, who goes by Joya, is a master’s student in Special Education at the University of Idaho. Originally from China, she has lived in the U.S. for about ten years and now resides in Pullman, WA. She holds a Ph.D. in Earth Science and previously taught at the university level, but felt called to shift her focus to disability support—a passion she’s had since childhood. As a Christian, Joya believes God opened the door for this career change, and she hopes to glorify Him by serving others and being a blessing to many.

Joya is especially interested in creating programs that empower individuals with disabilities and increase access to education and employment. She’s excited to learn from the interdisciplinary community within URLEND and gain hands-on experience through service. In her free time, she enjoys baking and is joyfully preparing to become a first-time mom this summer.