Dr. Yalda began teaching at Arizona State University as an instructor in fall 1994, and became a lecturer in 2002. She joined the Grand Valley State University School of Criminal Justice faculty in August 2004, with responsibilities in both the criminal justice and legal studies programs. Dr. Yalda has taught a broad range of classes in both undergraduate and graduate programs at ASU and GVSU, including courses in justice theory, research methods, human rights, comparative justice, legal and ethical issues, constitutional law, peace and conflict studies, terrorism, legal research and writing, and other discipline specific and special topics courses. Dr. Yalda has served as a member, then Chair, of the GVSU Faculty Teaching and Learning Center Advisory Committee, and in 2009 received the GVSU Outstanding Advising and Student Services Award.
Dr. Yalda has been actively involved in various research partnerships and community service projects, including with local courts and social service programs. Her current efforts include a comparative study of local juvenile and adult drug courts and involvement with local youth violence / gang prevention efforts. Dr. Yalda is the creator of the Just Kids School S.A.F.E.T.Y. Project, an anti-bullying program that has been piloted in Arizona and Michigan. She provides technical assistance to the First United Methodist Church Work Program that serves members of Grand Rapids’ Heartside community and also serves on the church’s Social Concerns Commission. In 2008 Dr. Yalda received an award from the Assyrian American Club of Flint, Michigan recognizing her professional and community service contributions.