Guiding Students: Economist's Most Rewarding Endeavor
Georgetown University's Dean of the School of Foreign Service, Mitch Kaneda, has dedicated his entire career to the institution, finding the community compelling and rewarding. Beginning as an assistant professor of economics in 1994, Kaneda, a Japanese native, has since ascended to the role of senior associate dean and director of the SFS undergraduate program, where he leads a team and teaches International Trade, a core subject in the School's undergraduate curriculum.
In his mission to guide students, Kaneda cherishes their potential and strives to offer thoughtful advice, seeing each student as an individual. His dedication extends beyond the classroom, as he has been advising students on the Carroll Round, an annual undergraduate international economics conference at Georgetown, since its establishment in 2001.
Kaneda attributes his visits to Singapore annually to his formative secondary school years spent at the United World College of South East Asia. The trips serve not only to satisfy his cravings for Singaporean food but also to connect with alumni and global students of the college.
Reflecting on his career, Kaneda recalls his first day on the job, feeling a sense of accomplishment as he settled into an empty office at the Economics Department. The influence of then-SFS Faculty Chair, Jim Reardon-Anderson, resonated profoundly with him, inspiring him to become a role model and mentor. One memorable moment involved a dorm room dinner with a student, which emphasized the importance of engaging with students and becoming part of their college experience.
Now, with a child of college age, Kaneda has found himself acting as both a soft and firm advisor to students. A memorable instance occurred when a student sought his feedback on a study abroad application essay, leading to Kaneda pushing the student to reach higher academic standards. The student went on to significantly improve the essay and leave with tears in her eyes.
Outside of work, Kaneda enjoys watching New York Yankees games, listening to classical music, reading "The Economist," and air travel. He finds inspiration in his work and the broader mission of Georgetown University, especially when he thinks of Vanessa Kolpak (C'01), a student who perished in the September 11 attacks. Kaneda often speaks about Vanessa during his International Trade classes to remind students of the privilege and responsibility they have to shape a better future.
In his role as Dean of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, Mitch Kaneda continues to guide students, drawing upon his extensive research in international trade as a means to foster their personal growth and career opportunities within the field of law and education-and-self-development. As an alumnus and former faculty member of the United World College of South East Asia, Kaneda values the connections formed with fellow alumni and global students, using these connections to fuel his passion for the university and to instill in students the importance of reaching higher academic standards and making meaningful contributions to society. Outside of academia, Kaneda pursues personal interests such as watching New York Yankees games, listening to classical music, and reading "The Economist," drawing inspiration from these activities and his deep-rooted connection to Georgetown University to inspire future generations of scholars and leaders.
