Emily's Community Service Projects

Roundtable Discussion Leader & Lecturer

Proud to be committed to the values, vision and training programs of Cornerstone International Youth Camp (CIYC), I have been participating as a volunteer since 2004  to join their mission in promoting global peace through youth leadership development and multi-cultural relation building activities and programs.  I believe in Cornerstone International's purpose to educate teenagers from various countries and cultures with a fundamental understanding of internationalization; to explore global issues relevant to the students, while highlighting their unique customs and practices; and to develop, through leadership training, the students' abilities to make responsible decisions, based on honesty, integrity, and fair play.  CIYC aims to establish a multinational
network alliance among its alumni based on mutual respect and cooperation. By providing a forum that furthers the effort of instilling goodwill and ethical values, the foundation of world peace will be strengthened.  To hear about more, please visit their website.

Learning In Retirement Instructor

I believe in the strengths and experiences of older adults, and seek to empower them by being more of a facilitator rather than an instructor to the mission of continued learning at VSU.  By teaching Asian Language and Oriental Culture classes to individuals 50 years of age and above, I expand their horizons, enhance their personal development, and provide a unique opportunity for cultural growth, lifelong learning and recreation.  Classes that I teach included:  Introduction to Oriental Culture, Chinese/International Chess, Chanoyu -Japanese Tea Ceremony, "A World of Tea", Japanese Flower Arrangement & Gardening, Beginning Japanese & Chinese Language, Beginning Chinese Calligraphy, Japanese Cooking – Sushi, Kimono Dress, Origami  - Paper Folding Fun, An Illustrated Introduction to Japan, Patterns of  Japanese Culture   & Behavior, and Japanese Gardening.  Descriptions of the classes are available at:  here.

My Certificate of Appreciation for Teaching from LIR

Vice President for Publicity, Grant-writer & China/Taiwan Director

Valdosta Asian Cultural Association is a civic, non-profit organization that serves South Georgia schools and community.  In this position, I have developed, planned and assisted in the publicity, fundraising, presentation and co-directing of their annual 6-project Asian Cultural Experience Program, involving over 2,000 volunteers, presenters and participants from all over the world, inviting elementary, middle and high schools over 19 counties in South Georgia to attend, performing over 100 artistic and cultural shows per year, and serving an audience of over 100,000 in the South Georgia community yearly.  Program website is available online by clicking here.

Active Alumni & Member, Japan Exchange Teaching Program, JETAA.

Since returning from the JET Program in 2002, I have volunteered throughout the years to help the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta and Japanese Embassy in a variety of activities, from participating in social events to career workshops, to assisting the local consulate with recruiting efforts for the JET Program.  Participation includes attending bi-monthly meetings, a bon-enkai or shin-nen-kai, a career workshop every fall, Q & A Sessions, conducting JET Program Interviews, Program promotion on Georgia college campuses and other higher educational institutions, assisting in the planning of monthly social events ranging from Third Thursday evenings to picnics and cultural events, participating in social and networking activities and assisting the local Consulate of Japan in JET Program the promotion of Japanese culture in the region. For more information about the JET Program and the embassy, please visit their website. 

Honors Student Association Alumni, Advisor & Webmaster

Currently working for the VSU Honors Program and being an alumni to the University Honors Program since 2000, I have been fortunate to have had a long and wonderful history with this program of enhancing the intellectual, cultural, social and professional opportunities for the university's brightest and most motivated, enthusiastic and curious students.  I continue to remain dedicated, positive and enthusiastic about participating and contributing to the program in the university by being active in developing wider involvement of the Honors Student Association, which is the social and extra-curricular activities arm of the University Honors Program.  I am also the webmaster for the VSU Honors Program Website of the Valdosta State University Honors Program.  I have created, edited, and maintained over 2,500 webpages for this university department, developed a website maintenance guide and user’s handbook for the administration, programmed and edited the web portal, and trained staff in managing all internet, network, and server-related content regarding the electronic dissemination of Honors Program documents in HTML, CGI, PERL, PHP, JAVA, et al.  My work on this website can be seen here.

My Happy at Work Certificate

Other Letters of Recommendation