Outstanding Alumni – Hsueh-Hua Chen (EdD 1986)

Hsueh-hua Chen (EdD 1986) is currently the university librarian of the National Taiwan University (NTU) Library, the leading university library in Taiwan, and professor of library and information science.

Chen returned to Taiwan after graduating from UGA and started teaching in the National Open University (NOU), during which she also served as the director of the Department of Research and Development. In 1988, she returned to teach in the Department of Library and Information Science at NTU. She also served as department head from 1995 to 2001 and director of NTU Press from 2005 to 2008. She was appointed university librarian of NTU Library in 2008.

Chen has participated and served in several key positions at various professional associations, including the Library Association of the Republic of China (Taiwan); the Chinese Association of Library & Information Science Education (CALISE); the Digital Cultural Content Association (DCCA), and the American Society for Information Science & Technology (ASIST) Taipei Chapter.

What are your current projects?

I am currently involved in the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) as a committee member of its Global Council. A nonprofit organization, OCLC is the world’s largest library cooperative and is dedicated to furthering access to the world’s information as well as reducing costs for libraries. Facing rapid change in technology, society and the economy, libraries are struggling to meet the needs of our readers. Through resource sharing such as WorldCat, the world’s largest bibliographic database, and many other services of OCLC, libraries are better equipped with the tools to undergo transformation and adapt to the changing world.

In what ways does your IHE training apply to your work—both the everyday and long-term?

IHE’s EdD program was designed for executives and administrators in higher education. Focusing on policy, strategy, and management, the training I received was invaluable to me when I found myself in a management position. I was also able to combine my learning from both educations when teaching courses at the university. Knowledge of computer-assisted instruction was rare in Taiwan at the time, and my training in both degrees was extremely helpful when preparing for classes such as Media Center Management and other computer-related subjects.

What’s your favorite memory of IHE?

I am very grateful to the faculty and secretarial staff of IHE for their wonderful help and support. I was fortunate to have Dr. Fincher (then director of IHE) as my advisor. Always supportive of me, Dr. Fincher not only offered me an assistantship, but also provided much-needed encouragement along the way.

I will always remember receiving the warmest welcome from secretaries Mary Snyder, Yvonne Benton and Susan Sheffield. As a foreign student in a strange country, they took good care of me and made me feel right at home. I am thankful for their friendship and kindness, and still cherish those memories of our time together.

What do you consider IHE’s best asset?

IHE not only provides advanced training in educational management, it also facilitates wonderful discussions and connections between students. Many of my classmates were executives who held full-time jobs and studied for their degree at the same time. Their experiences from work provided valuable insight into how organizations operate and how our lessons can be applied in real-world situations. By providing training in many aspects, IHE creates a learning environment which perfectly bridges the gap between practice and theory.

If you could sum up your IHE experience in three words, what would you say?

Supportive, motivating and fulfilling