Christopher Hollis

Background

About Christopher Hollis

Culture, community, diversity, exchange, discovery, inclusion, equity, imagination, innovation, language, meaning, and international education are just some of the things I value the most. My goal in life is to connect people across borders and cultures and to empower them to become global leaders who can make this world a better place for all. During my undergraduate degree in Foreign Languages & International Trade, I studied abroad in China in studied in Japan from 2001 to 2002 as a National Security Education Program Boren Scholarship recipient, and developed skills in cross-cultural communication. In 2003, I worked with the U.S. Commercial Service/U.S. State Department at the U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe as an International Market Research Analyst/Visa Assistant, and developed skills in international marketing and data analysis, and detailed knowledge of visa and immigration regulations. After graduating as one of the Top 25 Most Distinguished Seniors in my undergraduate university, I gained extensive management experience as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments. I headed my own branch office, supervised employees, and gained skills in providing quality customer service and risk management. My passion for supporting international education then led me to enter graduate school at the University of Illinois and study for my M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language. After graduating and receiving the Peter Strevens Award for Excellence in ESL Teaching in 2009, I was hired as the program Activities Coordinator at the University of Illinois’ Intensive English Institute. I organized events, supervised language exchange programs, cultivated professional relationships with other academic institutes, advised study abroad students, and gained the skills necessary to coordinate and evaluate international exchange programs. Since 2010 I have worked overseas and, in 2014, became a public servant of the Japanese government, receiving tenure in April of 2019 after passing the Public Officer Exam (in 100% Japanese). I have designed and managed teacher training programs, cross-cultural exchange programs, and social media marketing campaigns. I now work as a Jr. Associate Professor at Tottori University teaching EFL and coordinating the university language programs. I also volunteer as an American Citizen Liaison with the U.S. Consulate to promote international education through USA Study Abroad. Please feel free to contact me anytime. I'm always happy to help an old friend or make a new one. Let's build upon our stories together.