'Continue to pursue your dreams'
Todd Kent, former chief administrative officer and dean of faculty at the University of Utah Asia Campus poses with his wife Brenda Kent at the university campus in Songdo, Incheon. /Courtesy of University of Utah Asia Campus
By Bahk Eun-ji
Todd Kent, former chief administrative officer and dean of faculty at the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) in Songdo, is wrapping up his years-long career as an educator and embarking on a journey to politics in the U.S.
After serving as the school's representative and head of campus since 2016, Kent seeks the Republican nomination in Texas Congressional District 17 with his background in public opinion research and political consulting.
Prior to coming to Korea, he served as the assistant dean for academic affairs and member of the political science faculty at Texas A&M University at Qatar. His academic research interests include presidential foreign policy decision-making, political risk-taking and the relationship between religion and international relations.
“Before I went into academics, I worked as a political consultant in the U.S. so I have this background. I wanted to run for public office in the past, but the timing wasn't right. When the seat opened up, it seemed like it was the right time,” he said in an email interview with The Korea Times.
Kent said he would like to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee in order to work on issues related to Korea and the U.S, as he is aware of the importance of the Korea-U.S. alliance.
US education in Korea
UAC, which opened in 2014, provides students with the same academic experience at the campus in Salt Lake City in the U.S.
“When I first arrived in Korea in 2016, I read an article that stated Korea has the best test-takers in the world. Then the author said that Korea no longer needs test-takers anymore, but needs people who can be creative and innovative,” Kent said.
In the education system of UAC, students are provided opportunities to develop skills that are going to be valued, he said.
“We tell students and parents that the UAC offers a U.S. education. We are not competing against other Korean educational institutions. We are competing for students who want a U.S.-style education system in English.”
The difference from Korean schools is making the UAC special and advantageous, he said.
Kent said 126 Korean students registered in the spring semester this year, the largest incoming class since 2014. He also expects the number of students who want to obtain the U.S. college education will keep growing.
Currently, more than 500 students who enrolled UAC are studying at the campuses in Korea and Salt Lake City. The students study in Korea for three years and in Salt Lake City for the remaining one year.
Kent said he hopes his students will keep trying to achieve their dreams as he is doing now.
“The great thing about education and dreams is they never end. Be a lifelong learner and continue to pursue your dreams.”