Passing Torch
George Mason University announced today that it has named Steven K. Lee the new president of its Mason Korea campus.
Mason Korea is a key part of the university’s effort to create a truly global learning experience to prepare students for a changing and increasingly global economy. Korean students receive a high-quality U.S. education without having to leave their own country, while American students benefit from studying at the Mason Korea campus.
[[{"fid":"11918","view_mode":"body_image_right","fields":{"format":"body_image_right","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Newly-appointed President of Mason Korea Steven Lee.","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Newly-appointed President of George Mason University Korea campus Stephen Lee.","height":700,"width":550,"class":"media-element file-body-image-right"},"link_text":null}]]Lee joins Mason after serving as the founding director and chief executive officer of the University of Southern California Korea. At USC Korea, his responsibilities included creating strategic plans for the campus, developing institutional, government, and corporate partnerships, and initiating academic and advancement projects.
Lee received his PhD in education from the University of Southern California and earned a bachelor and master’s degrees in foreign languages and linguistics and a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of Washington.
“Steven has a wealth of experience leading University of Southern California's operation in Korea,” said David Wu, George Mason’s executive vice president and provost. “We are very fortunate to have him taking the helm for our Korean campus. I look forward to working with him to establish Mason's gateway to Asia.”
In its second year, Mason Korea has 132 students, 87 more than in its first year, and from twice as many different countries. Students from Mason’s Virginia campuses also attend Mason Korea.
Mason Korea is located in Songdo, which is part of South Korea’s Incheon Free Economic Zone, a 42,000-acre site designed for 850,000 people. The campus is 25 miles from Seoul and a two-hour flight from China and Japan.
Students attending Mason Korea earn the same degrees they would receive for attending classes on Mason’s campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, or Prince William County. Mason Korea students spend the fourth and fifth semesters (third year) on the Fairfax Campus and complete the rest of their course work in Korea. Economics and management are the first course offerings and were specifically requested by Korea’s Ministry of Education.
Lee replaces Joy Hughes, who served as interim president. She was Mason’s chief information officer for 16 years until retiring in 2013 and joining the faculty at the Volgenau School of Engineering.
“We want to thank Joy Hughes for providing strong leadership during this year of transition,” said Michelle Marks, Mason’s vice provost for academic affairs. “During the last year, Mason Korea has more than tripled its enrollment and doubled its faculty and staff, all under her direction.”