Category Archives: Tokyo

Leadership (also: I’m Moving to New York)

My friend Mai is a graduate student, studying education. She recently asked me how I define “administration,” and what does “leadership” mean to me? She hit me at a good time. I’ve been thinking about this stuff a lot lately. An administrator creates pathways for people to do the work needed, I responded. They ensureContinue reading “Leadership (also: I’m Moving to New York)”

The Public Advocate

Just about one year ago, I came back to Philadelphia after living in Tokyo for three years. The morning after arriving in Philly, I ran into a friend as I walked to the CVS to receive my first COVID-19 vaccination. I ran into a few other friends on the way back to the hotel. AContinue reading “The Public Advocate”

August 12: Mookie & Kenzo

My son, Kenzo William Miller, was born 9 days early, arriving on August 12, exactly two years to the day after Mookie, my beloved little pup, passed away. I can’t decide if that’s just a crazy coincidence or something deeper. But I feel like there is a connection, and that has my brain spinning. InContinue reading “August 12: Mookie & Kenzo”

Three Years in Japan

I recently found the letter I sent when applying for the job I just left, the associate dean for academic affairs at Temple University, Japan Campus. It’s amusing. It is 1,700 words of folksy language, joking around, and rambling, sentimental prose. It avoids outright boasting for the most part and sounds a little too modestContinue reading “Three Years in Japan”

The Single-speed Life

I’m not sure how many miles I have biked around Japan over the past three years but I’d venture to say it’s several thousand. I mean, I use my single-speed Tokyo Bike every day – going the short distance to and from school, picking up super-cheap sushi in Shibuya, biking to baseball games in allContinue reading “The Single-speed Life”

Now How Do You Build the University Community?

When I arrived at the Temple University campus in Japan, the school operated out of three buildings, all of which were actually office buildings that had been converted for use as classrooms, faculty offices and administrative offices.  The main building, Azabu Hall, had thin walls where laughter, applause, yelling and everything else could be heardContinue reading “Now How Do You Build the University Community?”

I Miss my Friends and Hate Online Classes

The sudden switch to online-only learning has thrown everyone for a loop. All of the sudden, we are spending copious amounts of time on Zoom and everything is super annoying. Teachers are either sending way too many emails/messages or none at all. Students are being expected to do all their learning on their own, orContinue reading “I Miss my Friends and Hate Online Classes”

Lessons Learned During the Emergency

On February 28, we learned that the Temple Japan campus would have to move to an online-only format within 72 hours due to the threat of the coronavirus outbreak. Things have gone OK but for the most part, we took our in-class teaching methods and moved them online. We have not really adapted to theContinue reading “Lessons Learned During the Emergency”