Faculty Member Receives Bonnie E. Cone Early-Career Professorship in Teaching

Credited with creating “a Japanese family” at UNC Charlotte, Fumie Kato, associate professor in the Department of Languages and Culture Studies in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, received the Bonnie E. Cone Early-Career Professorship in Teaching at the University Convocation on August 19, 2014.

Kato’s students and colleagues credit her with creating this inclusive approach on campus.  As a result, interest in the Japanese Studies program at UNC Charlotte skyrocketed under her leadership as coordinator.  This impressive growth facilitated the establishment of the Bachelor of Arts in Japanese Studies degree in 2011.  According to department Chair Sheri Long, students now “flock to Japanese classes not only because they are fun, but more importantly because of the feeling of camaraderie, support, and cooperation modeled by the Japanese staff under Professor Kato’s supervision.”

Through her dedication to multifaceted student learning, UNC Charlotte now houses one of the largest undergraduate Japanese programs in North Carolina.

Kato uses her expertise in applied linguistics with emphases on language pedagogy, student motivation, and learning strategies to strengthen the degree program and inspire her colleagues.  Fumie said her primary objective is to motivate students “by helping them perceive that the learning of Japanese, while difficult in some respects, can still be an enjoyable experience.”

She has demonstrated her commitment to experiential learning beyond the classroom, both locally and in Japan.  She has encouraged students to study in Japan and involves her students in the Charlotte-based Japanese community to increase their awareness of Japanese customs, culture, business etiquette, and lifestyle. To fund these initiatives, Kato secured an unprecedented number of grants for the Japanese program including from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Japanese Foundation, and the Association of Asian Studies.  In recognition of her success directing the Japanese Studies program, Kato received the Phi Beta Delta Faculty Award for International Education in Spring 2014.

Article provided courtesy of The Office of the Provost, Division of Academic Affairs.