WEST LIBERTY, W.VA. Oct. 6, 2022 — West Liberty University welcomed Manami Kawazoe to campus this fall as Japan Outreach Coordinator. Now Kawazoe will welcome campus to a special reception planned for noon – 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13.
The gathering takes place in the Catalyst Café, (Room 308) located in Main Hall. The reception provides an enjoyable break for the Hilltop community and a way to connect with Kawazoe and the Japanese culture.
Kawazoe said, “I think diversity is really important at WLU. Attending the reception will expose attendees to a new culture. People can stop by to meet people and broaden their horizons.”
Director of International Enrollment Services, Mihaela Szabo said the reception will “allow people to meet Manami and learn why she’s here.”
Since Kawazoe has joined the Hilltop in August, she has already created a Japanese Experience Club that meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Student Leadership Center (formerly alumni room) in the College Union. Kawazoe also hosts Japanese language sessions every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Szabo said, “Manami has such a vibrant personality. She is very proactive in embracing our community and is really excited about the welcoming and interest she has received at WLU. She looks forward to having more of an impact and bringing awareness on Japanese Culture to the Hilltop.”
Both Szabo and Kawazoe just returned from a recruiting trip to Japan where they attended recruiting fairs, chatted with potential students, and met new educational partners.
Szabo leads a busy international center located in the Rollie Williams International Center that offers many activities and a variety of support for the international students who attend WLU. Sixty-eight international students have enrolled at WLU for the Fall 2022 semester from 31 countries incuding: Angola, Armenia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Macedonia, Mexico, Mongolian People’s Republic, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nigeria, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Venezuela and Zambia.
Szabo is assisted in her work by Ryan Glanville, coordinator of International Programs and Recruiting. For more information, please contact Szabo at 304.336.8270.