AZUSA, Calif.-On July 6, Azusa Pacific Online University (APOU) Chief Executive Officer John C. Reynolds, N.Dip. (EDP), H.Dip. (MIS), named Torrance, Calif. resident and online learning expert Kurt S. Takamine, Ed.D., academic dean at APOU effective August 1. Takamine comes to APOU from the School of Business and Professional Studies at Brandman University, part of the Chapman University system.
“Dr. Kurt Takamine possesses extensive experience in the online arena and values our core tenet of providing academic excellence through an affordable and accessible delivery system for every learner who desires to further their college education,” said Reynolds. “APOU will benefit greatly from Dr. Takamine’s proven commitment to faith integration, scholarship, and teaching in innovative ways that are relevant to society and the 21st century learner.”
Reporting to the chief executive officer, Takamine will serve as APOU’s chief academic officer and provide strategic vision, leadership, and oversight of academic programs. He will collaborate with administrators and faculty to serve nontraditional learners online and through other distance education modalities.
“I am thrilled to join APOU as the organization fully engages the Azusa Pacific mission and vision online while remaining committed to offering a premier Christ-centered higher education. Creating and delivering innovative learning approaches that extend access, affordability, and relevance to thousands couldn’t be more exciting or rewarding,” said Takamine. “Add to that APOU’s unique approach to learning that includes life coaches and learning networks for APOU students and I’m confident our graduates will attest to how our education transformed their lives.”
A 12-year veteran of higher education, Takamine previously served as interim dean of Brandman University’s School of Professional Studies (2007–10), providing leadership and oversight to the creation of new degrees including the Bachelor and Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in military studies, Master of Public Administration and the redesigned Master of Health Administration.
Takamine also oversaw the development and introduction of market-driven certificates in judicial administration, business sustainability, and business administration. He provided leadership to the fiscal affairs of the school, program assessment, meeting WASC institutional goals and the university’s initiative to convert all face-to-face courses to a blended format where students mix face-to-face and online learning experiences.
Prior leadership roles at Chapman University, include associate division chair for Organizational Leadership (2005–2008) at the Manhattan Beach Campus and program management for the Irvine Campus’ Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership programs (2003). Alongside those assignments, Takamine taught in organizational leadership and human resources first as an adjunct (1999–2003) and later as an assistant professor (2003–08).
Takmine holds a B.A. in Social Ethics from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles; a B.A. in Biology and an M.Sc. in Environmental and Occupational Health from California State University, Northridge; an M.A. in Theology and Ethics from Azusa Pacific University; and an Ed.D. from Pepperdine University.
Takamine has written extensively and published widely in journals and online magazines on the subjects of servant leadership, ethics, adult learning, Asian Pacific American leadership, the glass ceiling, marketing strategies, succession planning, organization change, and leadership theory. An editor for the International Journal of Servant-Leadership, Takamine is also a sought-after national speaker on a broad range of leadership and cultural competence topics. This accomplished researcher was the senior fellow with Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc., a national organization that offers leadership training and training to Fortune 500 corporations. In 2006, the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership in Indianapolis honored Takamine as the Distinguished Educator of the Year, and Brandman named him the 2011 Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. He currently serves as a Greenleaf Board of Trustee member.
