The Japan campus of Temple University (TUJ) has appointed Dr. May-yi Shaw as its inaugural Chief of Staff to further expand its positive impact on international education in Japan amid substantial growth in TUJ’s undergraduate enrollment, the opening of a new satellite location in Kyoto next year, and collaborative agreements with a series of Japanese municipal governments.
Dr. Shaw, with her extensive teaching and administrative experience at top universities, will help TUJ advance its strategic initiatives, community engagement, and the exceptional experience that it provides to university students from about 70 countries around the world.
In her new role, Dr. Shaw will closely collaborate with Dean Matthew Wilson to drive initiatives, help educate globally minded students, attract top talent to Japan, and ensure the delivery of a quality international educational experience. She will be involved with special initiatives, board relationships, community outreach, student satisfaction, staff coordination, and strategic analysis.
Immediately before joining TUJ, Dr. Shaw was the Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Life at New York University Abu Dhabi. She has also served as an Assistant Dean at Yale-NUS College in Singapore and Associate Professor of Humanities Education at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. With over 10 years of teaching and administrative experience, Dr. Shaw has demonstrated a track record of excellence through teaching award-winning courses on modern humanities and East Asian studies, and directing acclaimed academic, co-curricular, residential, global exchange and public engagement programs.
Dr. Shaw holds a doctorate from Harvard University in East Asian Languages and Civilizations and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and East Asian Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
“Having taught and served students on several global campuses, I remain deeply committed to international education and look forward to delivering a holistic educational experience to TUJ’s students from all around the world. As I was once an exchange student in Japan during college and first-hand experienced how learning across borders could truly transform one’s character, values, and worldview, I hope to assist TUJ in achieving just that, if not more!” Dr. Shaw said.
The hiring of Dr. Shaw is another step in TUJ’s ascension as a premier destination for international education. As TUJ’s student body continues to grow, the university has expanded its faculty members and staff both domestically and globally over recent years while adding new locations and introducing new majors, minors and academic certificates. By recruiting accomplished professionals, TUJ enriches its wealth of knowledge and expertise, reinforcing its commitment to meeting student needs and solidifying its position as an academic leader.
Commenting on the latest recruitment, Dean Wilson said: “In leading TUJ, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. May-yi Shaw as our inaugural Chief of Staff. With extensive experience in teaching and administration at renowned institutions globally, including NYU Abu Dhabi and Yale-NUS College in Singapore, Dr. Shaw’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment for TUJ as we navigate unparalleled growth and expansion. Her expertise will be instrumental in advancing strategic initiatives, fostering community engagement, and enriching the educational experience for our diverse student body. We are confident that Dr. Shaw’s leadership will propel TUJ to new heights, and we warmly welcome her to our community.”
Established in 1982, TUJ has excelled in building bridges between cultures and advancing the globalization of higher education. TUJ is the largest and longest-running branch campus of a foreign university in Japan. The Japan campus is the flagship Asian operation of Temple University in Pennsylvania, a top-50 public American university with more than 360,000 alumni worldwide. At TUJ, enrollment reached a record high of nearly 2,250 undergraduate students in early 2024.
TUJ also hosts graduate and professional programs in collaboration with the School of Education and Human Development, Fox School of Business and Management, and Beasley School of Law, as well as non-degree programs such as Continuing Education, Corporate Education and the Academic English Program. TUJ was recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and was officially designated as a Foreign University Branch in 2005. Most recently, TUJ announced that it will open a satellite location in Kyoto from January 2025.
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- Temple University Japan Boosts Number of Full-Time Faculty Members by Over 75% Since 2022 (February 8, 2024)
- TUJ Hires Five Assistant Professors to Enhance Academic Excellence and Student Educational Experience (August 30, 2022)
- Three Corporate Executives Appointed to Temple University, Japan Campus’ Board of Overseers (June 7, 2022)