USU KHS Professor Returns from Japan

A Kinesiology and Health Science professor at Utah State University Moab recently returned from an assignment in Japan. Steve Hawks and his wife spent the last year living in Japan while Hawks worked as a visiting professor at the University of Tsukuba, which is located about 40 miles northeast of Tokyo.

As a visiting professor on assignment from USU, Hawks spent most of his time in Japan sitting in on classes, delivering guest lectures, attending a variety of faculty meetings, and supporting student research projects. His background in public health allowed Hawks to build a stronger relationship between Utah State and the University of Tsukuba in that field. This progress will help create more opportunities for exchanges, study abroad, and research in the future.

Steve and Jaylyn Hawks were able to learn Japanese during their time abroad, as well as tour local shrines and temples and visit cultural sites in Japan. They enjoyed experiencing Japanese food and have come home with a newfound love for sushi.

Hawks has written and published a chapter on his teaching and research experiences in Japan for the book “Resilient Pedagogy,” which USU published in 2021. This book emphasizes the movements and concepts that have changed the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is the first in the Empower Teaching Open Access Book series.

In his time at USU, Hawks has helped develop the Master of Public Health program available at many of USU’s campuses, and he has helped contribute to the growing community in Moab. He is excited to spend time in the new education building at USU Moab, which is set to open in spring of this year.

Read more about Hawks’ experiences in Japan and what he’s planning to do next at Utah State Today.