EvCC Hosted J.F. Oberlin University Leadership for Campus Tour and Partnership Celebration

Press Release

Date: Jan. 9, 2025

Highlighting a Shared Commitment to Global Education and Cross-Cultural Collaboration

EVERETT, Wash. – Everett Community College hosted Dr. Hiroaki Hatayama, President of J.F. Oberlin University, Ms. Mari Maruyama, the Executive Director of the Obirin-Gakuen Foundation of America, and Mr. Takeru Terasawa from the Office of the JFOU President for a visit to its main campus and the Aviation Maintenance Technology facilities on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. The visit underscored the long-standing partnership between EvCC and JFOU, emphasizing their shared dedication to global education and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

Kristen McConaha, Everett Community College's Executive Director of College Advancement and the EvCC Foundation; Mr. Takeru Terasawa, Office of the President of J.F. Oberlin University; Dr. Hiroaki Hatayama, JFOU President; Brandon Dyer, EvCC Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success; Ms. Mari Maruyama, Executive Director of the Obirin-Gakuen Foundation of America; and Ali Soltanshahi, EvCC Executive Director of International Education.
From left to right: Kristen McConaha, Everett Community College's Executive Director of College Advancement and the EvCC Foundation; Mr. Takeru Terasawa, Office of the President of J.F. Oberlin University; Dr. Hiroaki Hatayama, JFOU President; Brandon Dyer, EvCC Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success; Ms. Mari Maruyama, Executive Director of the Obirin-Gakuen Foundation of America; and Ali Soltanshahi, EvCC Executive Director of International Education.

During their visit, the delegation met with EvCC leadership and toured key locations, including the Advanced Manufacturing Training and Education Center, the Japanese Cultural Resource Center, campus housing, and the AMT program at Paine Field airport.

At EvCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Training & Education Center, (from left) EvCC aerospace composite technology instructor Michael Patching explains the construction of an airplane wing created with composite materials with JFOU President Hiroaki Hatayama and Mr. Takeru Terasaw from the office of the JFOU President.
At EvCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Training & Education Center, (from left) EvCC aerospace composite technology instructor Michael Patching explains the construction of an airplane wing created with composite materials with JFOU President Hiroaki Hatayama and Mr. Takeru Terasaw from the office of the JFOU President.

“Everett Community College was honored to host J.F. Oberlin University and Obirin Gakuen Foundation leadership. This visit underscored the shared dedication of our institutions to preparing students for global engagement and success,” said Dr. Crawford. “We are proud of our partnership with JFOU, which provides opportunities for cultural exchange, academic collaboration, and leadership development.”

About the Partnership

J.F. Oberlin University, based in Machida, Tokyo, is renowned for its commitment to cultivating global citizens. Through the Obirin Gakuen Foundation of America, the university fosters cultural and educational exchanges between North America and Japan, offering scholarships, programs, and support for international students.

EvCC has hosted exchange students from JFOU for years, offering robust programs tailored to enhance their academic and experiential learning. Each year, JFOU students participate in the respected English as a Second Language program, taking 10–15 credits to build their language skills. They also gained practical experience through AMTEC’s Composites 101 course (5 credits), which provided hands-on training in advanced manufacturing techniques.

Beyond the classroom, students engaged in 100–110 hours of experiential learning facilitated by EvCC’s International Education Center. This immersive program dedicated 60% of the experience to aviation-related activities and 40% to cultural connections, fostering both professional development and cross-cultural understanding.

Key Facilities Highlighted During the Visit

  • Japanese Cultural and Resource Center: A dedicated space celebrating Japanese culture and promoting cross-cultural awareness.
  • AMTEC: A 54,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility offering training in advanced manufacturing, composites, and precision machining, creating direct pathways to industry careers.
  • Aviation Maintenance Technology: With over 50 years of excellence, this program trains students for careers in the aerospace industry at the 48,000-square-foot facility at Paine Field airport.

At AMTEC, (from left) EvCC composite instructor Michael Patching shows the components used by EvCC's celebrated machining team to Mr. Takeru Terasawa, from the office of the JFOU President, and JFOU President Hiroaki Hatayama. The machining team earned a national spot in the prestigious Clash of Trades machining reality series finals in 2024.
At AMTEC, (from left) EvCC composite instructor Michael Patching shows the components used by EvCC's celebrated machining team to Mr. Takeru Terasawa, from the office of the JFOU President, and JFOU President Hiroaki Hatayama. The machining team earned a national spot in the prestigious Clash of Trades machining reality series finals in 2024.

Ali Soltanshahi, Executive Director of the International Education Center, expressed enthusiasm about the visit.

“This partnership exemplifies how institutions can work together to inspire and equip students to thrive in an interconnected world. At EvCC, we believe in each student because they matter, because they belong here, and because they are the leaders of tomorrow," Soltanshahi said. "We look forward to continuing to build on this meaningful relationship with J.F. Oberlin University and the Obirin Gakuen Foundation of America.”

Everett Community College serves over 16,000 students annually, offering programs that equip graduates with the skills and knowledge needed for success in today’s competitive workforce.

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