Prior to the launch of World Campus International, Inc., our team members spent between 10 – 20 years working in a variety of operational and educational capacities with the international student programs of the Up with People organization (an American 501(c) 3 non-profit, not affiliated with any political or religious institution) including the WorldSmart Leadership Program. We all have extensive international work experiences and networks, particularly in North America, Europe and Japan.
Hiro Nishimura – Chief Executive Officer
Hiro was born and raised in Arao, Kumamoto, located on Kyushu Island in western Japan. This seaside region is well-known for its especially warm and outgoing people. Hiro earned a degree in Education at the University of Kumamoto. He spent 20 years with the Up with People programs, serving in various capacities for the organization while developing his distinctive and influential management philosophy. Hiro has worked in both program implementation and company management throughout North America, Europe and Japan. One of his most impactful experiences was helping to implement part of the United Nation's Global Forum on Environmental Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Hiro led the implementation of 9 international student programs in Japan. Well respected and well connected in a variety of Japanese networks, this was done in part through his successfully collaboration with national, prefectural and city governments, major and local corporations and organizations. Hiro was the recipient of 4 company awards from Up with People, including the Presidents
Award. After living in Denver, Colorado, USA for many years along with his Norwegian wife, Kristin, and their three children: Markus Yuki, Daniel Masami and Anna Mikako,
they moved to Japan where WCI operates their international programs twice a year. Contact him at hnishimura@worldcampus.org
Hideto Yasui – General Manager
Born in Nagoya, raised in Sapporo and currently living in Tokyo, Hideto considers himself a "city boy". In university he studied International Economics but broke away from a "traditional Japanese life plan" by traveling with Up with People for one year. Since graduation, half of his almost 20 years of a career has been in international development work as a consultant for official development assistance projects and the other half in community design and enhancement work in Japan. After extensive travel in the USA, Europe, the South Pacific, Central America, South and Southeast Asia, his primary focus today is life in his home country. Hideto wants to introduce the wonderful people of Japan to fascinating people from around the world in an effort to strengthen community ties and the web of humanity. He is eagerly waiting for you to come to Japan and can be reached at hyasui@worldcampus.org
Yoshimi Hufford – Enrollment Manager
Yoshimi comes from Nara, Japan; a former ancient capital of the country. Before attending college in Osaka where she majored in English Studies, she was an exchange student in Petersburg, Alaska, USA. After college, she followed her passion for international student programs by getting involved with Up with People, working in many capacities, including road staff and management in the Education and Business Departments and tour management and enrollment in the Japan-based operations. Yoshimi has an enthusiasm for working with young people, as evident in her experiences in children's theater and a face-painting company at Universal Studios, Osaka, Japan. She loves to meet new people, learn about different cultures, and is highly interested in Expressive Art therapy. She can be reached at yhufford@worldcampus.org
Robert Sloat – Advisor
Originally from Massachusetts, USA, Bob graduated magna cum laude in Arts & Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and received the Senior Leadership Award. He has spent the past 10 years living and working internationally, including a memorable 3-year-stint in Leipzig, Germany facilitating cross-cultural training and teaching English as a second language. There he designed and facilitated group training courses for skill development in cultural adaptation and international communication for a variety of multinational firms including: Siemens, T-Mobile and Lilly Pharmaceutical. Bob has also worked with Up with People in operations and road staff management positions. Since 1998, Bob has made numerous visits to Japan, working with international students and local community members to implement successful educational programs in over 12 cities on Honshu and Kyushu islands. Bob now lives in Denver, Colorado, USA with his German wife, Anke. He is an enthusiastic photographer, loves to travel, and closely follows international events. Get in touch with him at rsloat@worldcampus.org