​Grounded in a rich history, the 40-year-old Korean American Professors Association (KAUPA) inherits its founding mission, “building a scholarship contributing to and bringing Korea and the world.” As the 16th President of KAUPA, I cordially invite you to join me in this valuable journey. In the light-speed advancing society today, KAUPA is perfectly positioned to respond to and lead transformations. Acknowledging predecessors’ academic legacy and continuing the tradition for the next decades, we can forge a new pathway with leading Korean scholars. Thanks to dedicated and competent leadership council members, we, KAUPA, are ready to take on the activities. As President embarking on a new term, I want to share some forward-thinking visions and feasible initiatives in this welcome message.

​

First, I reiterate that KAUPA is a scholarly organization. We strive to foster research collaborations between multidisciplinary KAUPA members and external researchers. To actualize the mission, we will launch a new task force on a scholarly journal publication. We aim to index the journal in SSCI. Reflecting on the strengths of KAUPA’s interdisciplinarity, it can be named as “Korean Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies.” Through a vetting process to select work group members, we will invite Korean scholars with stellar research records to editors, associate editors, editorial boards, and reviewers. This is a long-term project as it needs multiple phases until its launch.

​

Second, KAUPA is for its members in its entirety, not only for some. For this purpose, we will develop project proposals and seek grants that encourage member participation. For example, one of our missions is the dissemination of Korean Studies to the global community. Needless to say, K-Culture, K-Beauty, K-Scholarship, and K-Pop have become everyone’s conversation topics in the world. We, KAUPA, are at the center of attention that can be a purveyor of the narratives. Through projects, such as ‘Korea Day,’ KAUPA will be committed to being an ambassador for Korean heritage. In the scholarly domain, KAUPA will liaise with research collaborators and academic book publications. Furthermore, as we witnessed potential at the 40th Anniversary Conference, we can host future academic conferences with the support of grants.

​

Third, from the initiatives above, KAUPA will be a new organization for the next generation of Korean scholars. With integrity, accountability, and transparency, the new KAUPA will establish a tradition and continue its excellence. To this end, KAUPA will support graduate students in finding the right career, as they are the future of Korea and leaders on the global stage.

 

Dear KAUPA members, these audacious goals would not be possible without your cooperation. Working closely with Vice President, Dr. Wookjae Heo, leadership officers, and all of you, we look forward to seeing KAUPA lead Korean scholarship for years to come.

​

 

​

Respectfully,

​

​

​

​

Seok Kang

16th President