| Akiyo Ito Okuda is the Vice-President for Student Affairs, the University Athletic Association, Hiyoshi Campus, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan. Until the end of May 2025, she also served as director for the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. In her academic career, she is a professor of English and American Studies within Keio. She received her master’s degree in English (1993) and her doctoral degree in African American Literature (2005) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a vice-president at Keio University, Professor Okuda has promoted services and scholarships to support students with diverse backgrounds. During her tenure as director of the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, she introduced a mentoring program for female scholars and researchers within Keio University modeled after the APRU APWiL Mentoring Program. It has been an incredible success among the Keio community, with more than one hundred alumni mentors and mentees. Professor Okuda has introduced Unconscious Bias Training for all senior officers within the university, including the president and vice-presidents of the university. She also instituted a family care support program for staff among other new initiatives. |
