Dr. Yaffa Chen

Professional Experience

Director, Pre-Academic Preparatory Program – Braude College of Engineering (2024 – Present)

• Full responsibility for the strategic and operational management of the unit
• Leading policy design and implementation in alignment with national and institutional
  directions
• Oversight of academic curricula, pedagogical quality, and student success pathways
• Managing a multidisciplinary team of ~25 academic and administrative staff members
• Recruitment, training, and mentoring of new faculty and staff
• Budget planning and execution, including collaboration with regulatory and funding bodies (e.g., CHE, PBC, Ministry of Defense)
• Development of partnerships with academia, industry, government, and philanthropic foundations

Pedagogical Lead – Democratic Open School, Tel Aviv (2022 – 2024)

• Development of learning programs in the fields of science, mathematics, and ICT
• Leading professional teams and guiding coordinators and teachers
• Development of processes in routine and emergency situations

Management of a cross-disciplinary project – Rogozin Middle School, Kiryat Ata (2021 – 2022)

• Development and Coordinated a cross-disciplinary science program
• Leading a team of teachers, implemented monitoring and evaluation processes, and launched a digital platform for student outputs
• Established institutional collaborations and presented the project at national-level events

Research Team Leader – University of Haifa (2017 – 2020)

• Recruited and managed a multidisciplinary research team; translated complex data into actionable academic and pedagogical insights
• Established and maintained close collaboration with school principals and teaching staff, ensuring research relevance and practical application

CEO, 'AHVA' Rehabilitation Organization for People with Disabilities (2007 – 2015)

• Directed a multidisciplinary staff
• Secured over 2M NIS in funding for groundbreaking social and educational projects
• Established and led a social innovation incubator in collaboration with government and academia
• Designed and delivered professional development programs for diverse populations
• Forged cross-sector partnerships and organized high-profile national conferences and events

Lecturer, School of Engineering – Western Galilee College (2003 – 2006)

• Developed and delivered curricula in Life Sciences and Environmental Studies
• Supervised and mentored students in academic and professional development

Education

• Ph.D., Department of Counseling, Therapy and Human Development, University of Haifa, 2024
• M.B.A., Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, 2008
• M.A., (Research Track), Science and Technology Education, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, 2004
• B.Sc., Life Sciences, University of Haifa, 1994

Professional Development

• International professional delegations –
  Graduate of the prestigious International Leadership Program, U.S. Embassy (2011)
• EdTech and Digital Pedagogy Program, MindCET (2017)

Publications

• Chen, Y., Benish-Weizman, M., Benita, M. (2025). Linking
  Self-Transcendence Values to Classroom Prosocial Behavior: The mediating role of Teachers' Autonomy Support in Elementary School Students, Social Psychology of Education, 28(118).
  doi:10.1007/s11218-025-10078-w
• Chen, Y., & Mor, M. (2014). Managerial Perceptions and the Dimension of Tolerance for Ambiguity. Studies in Educational Administration, University of Haifa Press, 38, 10–20
• Chen, Y. (1999). Environmental Education. Bulletin for Biology Teachers, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 29, 41–42
• Chen, Y. (1991). Nature on the Coast. Bulletin for Biology Teachers, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 40, 24–31