Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) is elevating its focus on innovation, student success, and academic excellence through the hiring of Dr. Leslie A. Tirapelle. Effective August 1, 2021, Dr. Tirapelle will assume the newly created role of Associate Dean for Library and Learning Innovation.
With over twenty years of higher education experience serving in faculty and leadership roles for libraries, distance education, academic technology, learning support services, and professional development, Dr. Tirapelle will help provide students from around the world with the tools necessary to succeed in our digital and ever-changing world.
Over the last seven years, Dr. Tirapelle has served as Dean of Libraries & Distance Education at Pasadena City College (PCC), a large urban college in Southern California that educates nearly 30,000 students. As Dean, she successfully led the improvement of library programs and services, growth of the college’s online course and degree offerings, and increased use of open educational resources. In the 15 years preceding, Dr. Tirapelle served as PCC’s Associate Dean of Distance Education and as a Systems Librarian.
In her role as the inaugural Associate Dean of Library & Learning Innovation at TUJ, Dr. Tirapelle will play a key role in enhancing student-centered programs as well as providing tools, resources, and services that assist students and further the university’s strategic vision and goals. In addition to overseeing library operations, she will also focus on developing sustainable, flexible, and innovative learning solutions, research methods, and teaching approaches that can improve student outcomes, enhance scholarly innovation, and help shape a global education in our digital age.
“Taking another major step toward the implementation of our new strategic plan, we are very excited to add Dr. Tirapelle to our senior leadership team in this innovative role” notes TUJ Dean Matt Wilson. “Not only will our students and faculty benefit greatly from her expertise in research, digital tools, and online learning, but her international background, diverse perspectives, and leadership skills will further enrich our global campus in Tokyo.”
Dr. Tirapelle received an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern California, a Master’s in the Management of Information Systems from Claremont Graduate University, a Master’s in Library Science from San Jose State University, and a Bachelor’s in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California at San Diego.
Dr. Tirapelle was born in Taiwan and raised in Singapore, which she still considers home. She will move to Tokyo to join TUJ with her husband and two teenage sons. “I’m extremely honored and excited about joining an institution of TUJ’s caliber, and look forward to collaborating with the outstanding faculty, staff and students to achieve even greater academic excellence.” Outside of work, Dr. Tirapelle enjoys spending time with her family, baking, traveling and sailing catamarans.