Mizzou's College of Education prides itself on its unique ability to offer students a comprehensive and applied academic experience.  Every year, thousands of undergraduate and graduate students choose Mizzou because of this ability, and it is because of people such as Professor Motoko Akiba that they are not disappointed. 

Akiba is an assistant professor in the college's department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) who teaches a dissertation seminar for graduate students, as well as a course in comparative and international education, which she claims as her favorite. 

"By understanding how education is similar or different in other countries, we have a better understanding of our own education system," she says. 

To Akiba, having a cross-cultural perspective of education is extremely important.  She attended grade school and high school in Japan before coming to the United States for her collegiate studies.  It was her experience with school bombings and bullying in Japan that first sparked her interest in one of her several research areas, school safety. 

"Student and teacher relationships play a very important role," Akiba believes.  "If a teacher sets a good example, then this can translate into good behavior on the part of the student." 

While researching how schools impact student behavior, Akiba began to learn how schools around the world deal with certain issues and how these issues may vary in different cultural contexts.  "When we think about various types of educational policies, we can see how they can improve, especially in our own countries," she says. 

Akiba is currently in her sixth year teaching at Mizzou, and her favorite part of the job is interacting with students.  "Each student brings different views and perspectives.  Helping them achieve their professional goals gives me great satisfaction."

In her courses, Akiba has many international students, as well as several from the U.S., and she greatly appreciates the opportunity to learn from each of them.  She tries to keep her courses discussion-based and student-centered so that the students have the opportunity to learn from each other, as well as her. 

Learning about other countries and embracing new cultures isn't something that Akiba keeps in the classroom, however.  She currently serves as the faculty advisor for the college's International Student Organization.  An avid traveler, she has recently visited Peru, Japan, Australia, Guatemala, and Mexico.  Akiba makes a point of learning new languages throughout her travels by attending language school wherever she visits.  

"I get to be released from a professor's role and remember what it is like to be a student," she says.  Akiba is currently fluent in Japanese and English and is studying Spanish.  Next, she plans to take on Chinese.

Staying true to her love of cultural exploration and learning, Akiba advises all of her students to try new things.  

"I try to enjoy what I do," she says.  "Follow your dreams, your passion, and whatever makes you happy,"