Associate Professor in the Department of Languages and Literatures Juan-Jesús Payán was named Teacher of the Year and spoke at Lehman's 2024 Commencement.

Payán earned two doctoral degrees: one in Hispanic philology from the University of Cádiz, Spain, and another in Hispanic languages and literatures from UCLA. He has authored numerous articles and four books, and his talents as a professor of Spanish literature have been highly rated by students and colleagues for years.

One student remarked, “he has taught me more than nineteenth century realism. He has taught me about life, history, myself.” Summing up his eligibility for this award another student said, “he is the epitome of what all of us aspire to be.”

Payán was also honored at the College's 2024 Convocation.