Armstrong State University English professor and Liberal Arts Associate Dean Teresa Winterhalter has been selected to participate in a two-week Japan Diplomatic Seminar in July as part of a grant sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission. Winterhalter and a handful of colleagues from across the United States will visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Beppu to cultivate a better understanding of Japan’s culture, international relations, business, economy and lifestyle.
 
The Japan Diplomatic Seminar serves as an additional opportunity granted on behalf of Winterhalter’s outstanding performance at the 2015 Summer Institute for Japan Studies at San Diego State University. This new seminar is designed to give Institute for Japan Studies scholars an opportunity to receive additional training to incorporate Japanese studies into their undergraduate curriculum. From a global perspective, Winterhalter’s time in Japan will help strengthen U.S. relations with Hosei University, the Japanese Consortium of Universities, Ritsumeikan University and Rikkyo University.
 
With these new Japanese connections, Winterhalter and her colleagues will expand academic collaboration and international support. The Armstrong professor will meet with representatives from both the Japanese National Parliament and the Fulbright Commission to further these goals while overseas.
 
Winterhalter earned a Ph.D. in English from the University of Rochester and a B.A. and M.A. in English from the State University of New York. She originally joined Armstrong in 1994.