FACULTY SPOTLIGHT – DR. JOSEPH STETAR
In honor of Dr. Stetar’s work in China, please follow along as we include several Chinese words in this special edition of the Faculty Spotlight. Many thanks to ELMP Doctoral student, Fei Jiang, for her kind help in translating.
Joseph Stetar, Ph.D. Professor
Department of Education Leadership, Management & Policy
Seton Hall University
Recently returning from 中国 (China), Dr. Stetar is immersed in an exciting study that sheds light on the experiences of American students in Chinese universities by assessing President Obama’s “100,000 Strong Chinese Initiative,” and the privatization of higher education in 亚洲 (Asia). Dr. Stetar is driven to understand the impact and goals of Americans studying in China, what it means to study in China as an 美国人 (American), how Chinese higher education is preparing and attracting American students to study in their country, and what needs to be done to change how American students are integrating into Chinese culture. His most recent publication can be viewed here. He looks forward to traveling to 北京大学 (Peking University) this summer, along with his wife who is from China, where he will continue to study Chinese and American experiences.
Dr. Joseph Stetar began his career at 西顿霍尔大学 (Seton Hall University) in 1984 as Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Education. “After receiving [my] PhD from SUNY Buffalo, where I was fortunate to have Professor Finkelstein as a classmate, [I] held several administrative positions at SUNY College Buffalo… the last…before coming to SHU was Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.” Dr. Stetar pursued his desire to teach, as he wanted to look at its progression and track data. His other research interests include 国际 (international) and comparative education policy, history of higher education, the status of faith-based higher
education globally, and higher education organizational governance. Of special note, Dr. Stetar was the first American awarded the Educationis Doctorate, honoris causa from the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Oprah Winfrey was the second American to receive the same honorary doctorate!
For around 20 years, Dr. Stetar lived on his 200-year-old farm in Hunterdon County, Clinton, 新泽西州 (New Jersey) where he kept horses, cows, goats, and chickens, as well as trained dogs. Having grown up working on farms in Pennsylvania, Dr. Stetar enjoyed this experience. “I had chicken eggs, but did not eat or name any of the animals.” About five years ago he moved, residing pet-free in 纽约市 (New York City).
Dr. Stetar notes his most rewarding experience at SHU continues to be seeing the happy faces of 学生 (students) when they graduate. If you are studying to become a 教授 (professor) in 高等教育 (higher education), Dr. Stetar recommends to “model yourselves after the newer professors in the program: Professors Chen, Kelchen, and Kim. They are excellent role models, having moved from being a graduate student immediately to obtaining faculty positions.” Graduates would benefit from 关系 (networking) with fellow students in the program, as Dr. Stetar reflects, “we have an extensive 校友 (alumni) base which can prove helpful as your career develops.”
Dr. Stetar’s education, Academic honors, 奖学金 (scholarship) and 补助 (grants) are available here.