Yamashita named international education chair

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Hiroko Yamashita

Hiroko Yamashita, chair of RIT’s Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, has been named the Paul and Francena Miller Chair in International Education for the College of Liberal Arts.

In her new role, Yamashita will be responsible for short- and long-term planning for advancing international education by leading the development of new curricular models, degrees, and general education offerings related to the concept of applied languages and cultures. Through new courses that integrate language with technology, experience of study abroad and work abroad, Yamashita says she will work with other Liberal Arts and university colleagues to expand opportunities for developing students’ capacity to apply knowledge of language in their technical field of study. This is a two-year appointment.

Yamashita’s research interests include psycholinguistics, second-language acquisition and language pedagogy, including teaching languages to deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

“Many students who major in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) today consider the world as the stage for their career,” said Yamashita. “A majority of students at RIT are learning a modern language in order to enhance their future career or life plan. But currently there is a gap between the students’ career and standard language education. Our goal is to fill the gap and educate students who actively apply their knowledge of language and culture in their technical discipline.”

In 2013, the former Paul A. Miller Chair in Continuing Education, established in 1981 and named for RIT President Emeritus Paul Miller, was changed to the Paul and Francena Miller Chair with a focus in international education. Miller also dedicated the chair to his wife, Francena, a retired RIT professor who passed away in 2010. Professors from two colleges are selected each year to hold the post on a rotating and competitive basis. Alex Lobos, an assistant professor of industrial design in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, currently holds the other appointment.

The Paul and Francena Miller Chair in International Education is supported through the Office of International Education and Global Programs.