Takeo Suzuki
Takeo Suzuki has joined the administration at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as Executive Director of International Programs. Suzuki has most recently served as Executive Director for International Relations at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
“We are very fortunate to have Takeo joining our team here at UTC. He brings a depth of experience in international relations and an enthusiasm for working with students and faculty that will greatly benefit our campus,” said Dr. Jerald Ainsworth, UTC Provost. “It is critical that our students be prepared to function in a global marketplace. Enhancing our international programs will expose our students to new ideas and cultures and equip them for more successful futures.”
During his tenure at UAFS, Suzuki developed and promoted the campus’s five-year globalization plan which led to more students studying abroad and a significant increase in the international student enrollment. One highly successful initiative was a Maymester Domestic and International Program that allowed UAFS faculty and students to travel within the U.S. and to international destinations such as Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, England, South Korea, China, Japan, Ecuador, Greece, and Italy.
Suzuki’s own exchange student experience was at The University of Wales where he studied Business Information Technology as a British Council Honors Scholar. Suzuki holds a Master of Science in Global E-Learning from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He received his Bachelor of Marketing and International Business from Kobe University of Commerce in Kobe, Japan.
By earning over $1.1 million in grant support for study abroad opportunities, Suzuki has demonstrated his success and commitment to the students he serves. Suzuki improved the study abroad experience for students at UAFS when he created a successful system of mentorship for students studying abroad. Satisfactory rates soared when students had a mentor readily available, and weekly sessions for questions and support.
Suzuki will work with UTC faculty and staff to increase the number of international students attending UTC as well as expand the study abroad program, encouraging more students and faculty members to take advantage of international opportunities.
As a passionate leader, mentor, and advocate for international education, Suzuki is a great asset to our campus and international programs.
