Languages and culture studies faculty member named Cone Early-Career Professor

Fumie Kato, associate professor in the Department of Languages and Culture Studies, is the 2014 recipient of the Bonnie E. Cone Early-Career Professorship for Teaching. Her selection was announced during the annual University Convocation Tuesday, Aug. 19.

Provost Joan Lorden, in revealing the honor, said, “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.”

Interest in UNC Charlotte’s Japanese studies has skyrocketed during Kato’s time as program coordinator. Between fall 2002, when she first joined the program, and fall 2013, the number of Japanese courses offered has increased from six to 22. The number of exchange partner universities in Japan has increased from two to six, and the number of students enrolled in the Japanese courses has grown from 258 students to 856. These accomplishments led to the establishment of the Bachelor of Arts in Japanese Studies in 2011.

Sheri Long, chair of the Department of Languages and Cultures, said students “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 Kato’s dedication to multifaceted student learning, UNC Charlotte now offers one of the largest undergraduate Japanese programs in North Carolina.

According to Kato, 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.

Kato has demonstrated her commitment to experiential learning beyond the classroom, both locally and in Japan. Not only has she encouraged approximately 175 students to study in Japan since 2002, she also involves her students in the Charlotte-based Japanese community to increase their awareness of Japanese customs, culture, business etiquette and lifestyle. She also organizes and oversees extracurricular events, including speech contests, year-end presentations, Japanese film series and Japanese dinner nights for students in the program. To fund these initiatives, Kato secured an unprecedented number of grants for the Japanese program from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Japanese Foundation and the Association of Asian Studies. In recognition of her success in directing the Japanese Studies program, Kato received the Phi Beta Delta Faculty Award for International Education in spring 2014.

Kato earned her Ph.D. in applied linguistics from the University of Sydney in Australia.

The Bonnie E. Cone Distinguished Professorship for Teaching was established in 1992 to honor superior career achievement in teaching. A three-year appointment, the Cone Early-Career Professorship for Teaching recognizes a recently tenured professor who embodies Cone’s tenacious commitment to providing UNC Charlotte undergraduate and graduate students with enriching, high quality educational experiences. Cone was a dedicated educator, motivator and community leader who played an instrumental role in the vision and history of UNC Charlotte.