Gaston Instructor Honored with Governor’s Award
Gaston College psychology instructor Hisayo Tokura-Gallo grew up more than 7,000 miles away in Okayama, Japan, but that didn’t stop her from finding purpose in this region, where she was recently honored with the North Carolina Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service for her work with students and the community.
“I was genuinely shocked and honored,” Tokura-Gallo said. “Receiving recognition was never my motivation for volunteering, so I never imagined that this award would come my way.”
She received the award for her work with the ANSWER Scholarship, a local program offering critical financial support, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to nontraditional female students who are mothers.
Susan Anderson, founder and executive director of the ANSWER Scholarship, presented Tokura-Gallo with the award in September, praising her years of service and commitment to empowering women through education.
“What made the moment even more memorable was that I was convinced the award was going to another volunteer,” Tokura-Gallo said. “As Susan described the recipient’s service and contributions, I kept smiling and looking around, expecting someone else’s name to be called.”
Tokura-Gallo’s interest in higher education and service began in her hometown, where she studied social psychology and sociology at Toyo University. After moving to the United States, she earned a master’s degree in neurolinguistics and developmental psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Tokura-Gallo was encouraged to continue her career in higher education when she discovered an open adjunct position for a psychology instructor at Gaston College.
“I applied, was hired, and the rest is history,” she said. “What started as a part-time teaching opportunity eventually grew into a career that has allowed me to teach thousands of students, serve in leadership roles and combine my passion for psychology with my commitment to helping students achieve their educational goals.”
Tokura-Gallo began her career at Gaston College over 20 years ago, teaching high school students at the Lincoln Campus. Her role quickly expanded to a full-time faculty position, and she now serves as department lead and program chair for the Associate in Science and Associate in Engineering programs. For more than 16 years, she has played a pivotal
role with the ANSWER Scholarship, currently serving as co-chair of the Selection Committee.
Since its founding in 2006, the ANSWER Scholarship has helped more than 160 local mothers continue their education, awarding over $1 million in scholarship support. In the 2025-2026 academic year, every ANSWER scholar graduated, showing the program’s importance and impact.
“The secret to that success is our support network,” Tokura-Gallo said. “Each scholar is matched with a mentor who walks alongside her throughout her educational journey, providing encouragement, guidance, and support during both the challenges and celebrations.”
While the program’s statistics impress her, Tokura-Gallo cherishes her work with the ANSWER Scholarship for the professional and personal development it creates for each student.
“One of our favorite sayings is, ‘We are small, but we are mighty,” Tokura-Gallo said. “We change one family at a time.’”
Tokura-Gallo’s dedication and leadership continue to inspire students and colleagues at Gaston College, embodying the college’s mission to educate and care for people.
