Meet some of our new Fall 2021 faculty
James Colchao
Instructor of Computational and Data Sciences
What are you teaching at Mason Korea?
I am teaching Computational and Data Sciences at Mason Korea. It covers topics such as dealing with big data, predictive analytics, modeling, and data mining.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
My favorite part about teaching is encouraging students to have the confidence to think for themselves and provide them with analytical skills that will give them a vehicle for upward mobility in life and that will prove essential to success in any field of study during the pandemic and beyond.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
I spearheaded the creation of a clinic for uninsured Spanish-speaking Americans in a poor region of the US by reaching out to local churches and speaking at radio stations and then organizing health fairs. Working with other likeminded individuals, I gathered data about the local residents' current health statuses as well as their medical needs. Then, I coordinated with several local health care providers who were willing to volunteer their time to establish a fully functional clinic to meet these needs. I'm proud of this because I feel it was a beautiful example of how imperative it is to remember that many times the numbers that exist in data represent real people—who matter.
Coffee or tea?
Chai tea (extra large, please)
What’s your favorite part about being in Korea so far?
My favorite part about being in Korea so far is how the novelty of living somewhere so far from my home country is inspiring me to push my mental and physical limits. I currently have a tutor I meet with weekly to help me learn Korean and will be biking to Busan for the Chuseok holiday.
John Doran
Instructor of Computer Game Design
What are you teaching at Mason Korea?
Game Design courses, but I focus more on the technical side of things.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
Helping students to achieve the "Aha!" moment where they understand concepts they found quite difficult before.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
I've written over 15 books that have been published on the subject of game development.
Coffee or tea?
Neither. Mountain Dew is my caffeine source of choice, but I've been cutting back.
What’s your favorite part about being in Korea so far?
I just got out of quarantine, so I haven't been out and about much so far; but everyone at Mason has been so wonderful and I feel very welcomed.
John Garnett
Assistant Professor of History
What are you teaching at Mason Korea?
I am teaching HIST100 and HIST125; previously, I also taught some GLOA courses.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
Students are what make teaching so rewarding! Their diverse viewpoints and ideas always impress me, and I, too, learn each semester. I also like sharing my research with students.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud of two things: I helped get a book on the history of electricity published called Simply Electrifying: The Technology That Transformed the World, from Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk. It was picked up by J.P. Morgan's #Nextlist, The Financial Times, Harvard Business Review, and Booklist. I am also proud of using the skills I derived from history to inform testimony in a couple of billion-dollar litigation cases in the electricity industry.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee! With it anything is possible.
What’s your favorite part about being in Korea so far?
My favorite part about Korea is the food. I have loved going to all the amazing restaurants and trying delicious new foods that I cannot find in Fairfax.
Hye Yun Kang
Assistant Professor of Conflict Analysis and Resolution
What are you teaching at Mason Korea?
I teach CONF 340 (Global Conflict Analysis and Resolution) and CONF 330 (Community, Group
and Organization Conflict Analysis and Resolution).
What is your favorite part of teaching?
My favorite part of teaching is interacting with my students. I truly enjoy listening to their thoughts during class discussions.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
I received my Ph.D. from two institutions (Northwestern University and the Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris) in the U.S. and in France. It was a great experience to be able to balance between two different sets of expectations.
Coffee or tea?
I like both. I drink one cup of coffee in the morning, and drink tea the rest of the day.
What’s your favorite part about being in Korea so far?
My favorite part about being in Korea is easy access to public transportation. I don’t drive, so public transportation has been very important. The Korean public transportation system is amazing!
Amy Lewis
Assistant Professor of Arts & Sciences
What are you teaching at Mason Korea?
INYO 105 American Cultures
What is your favorite part of teaching?
Learning is a collaborative and active process in which students and faculty both contribute. My favorite part of teaching is learning and interacting with students.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
Having worked in six countries.
Coffee or tea?
Both - depends on the time of the day.
What’s your favorite part about being in Korea so far?
The blend of modern with traditional.
Amy Zhang
Graduate Lecturer of Arts & Sciences
What are you teaching at Mason Korea?
This semester, I am teaching INTS 362 Social Justice and Human Rights and ARTH 101 Introduction to Visual Arts
What is your favorite part of teaching?
In general terms, I get satisfaction from seeing students attain some of their personal or professional goals after university. In terms of the day-to-day classroom experience, I like when the class can share a laugh over something. It usually means that we have collectively focused our attention on something, which is always good, and that we've established some trust and goodwill with each other.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
That's a great question that's hard for me to determine the answer to. Securing and conducting interviews during my research fieldwork felt like a miracle each time, so those would be among some of the most thrilling experiences.
Coffee or tea?
Both
What’s your favorite part about being in Korea so far?
All the good food I have been enjoying!
September 16, 2021
