Faculty

School of Management

Annie ShibataDr. Annie Shibata specializes in communication, with an emphasis on intercultural, interpersonal, and business communication as well as adult and online education and faculty development.

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Shibata has educated and trained individuals about international and cultural communication inside and outside of the classroom. Prior to joining Walden in 2009 as a faculty member in the B.S. in Communication program, she was assistant dean of instructional development at The Culinary Institute of America and also held various faculty positions at Marist College, Columbia-Greene Community College (State University of New York [SUNY]), and SUNY New Paltz.

While living in Japan from 1982 to 1998, Dr. Shibata taught at several institutions, including Chikushi Jogakuen University, Higashi Byoin Nursing School, Kyushu Sangyo University, and Seinan Gakuin Junior-Senior High School. In 1986, she founded New York English School in Fukuoka, Japan, for communication and cross-cultural training. Since 1985, Dr. Shibata has been chief education officer of Gemini Consulting, designing and delivering cross-cultural training and business and educational consulting services for organizations in the United States and Japan.

Education

  • Ph.D. in Postsecondary and Adult Education, Capella University, Minneapolis, 2008
  • M.A. in Liberal Studies/Intercultural Communication, SUNY Empire State College, 1996
  • B.A. in Speech Communication, SUNY Oneonta, 1983
  • International Exchange Program, Seinan Gakuin University, Fukuoka, Japan, 1982

Areas of Expertise

Intercultural Communication

  • Designed courses and training for intercultural awareness and currently publishes, presents, and consults in this field.
  • Has presented on cross-cultural sensitivity for undergraduate students and has published on attracting multicultural students to online classes.
  • Has served as an expert witness in two court cases involving Japanese cultural differences.
  • Remains a sought-after Japan expert in areas of expatriate living and raising bilingual children as well as intercultural marriage and business.
  • Served as president of the Association of Foreign Wives of Japanese (AFWJ), which aims to provide members with support in adapting to Japanese society.

Interpersonal/Business Communication

  • Conducts workshops and coaches individuals and groups on improving communication skills such as professional presentations, interview techniques, and impression management.
  • Has consulted with colleges and universities to improve the communication climate throughout the organization.
  • Public Speaking

Adult and Online Education

  • Focuses on where theory and teaching meet when exploring intercultural communication issues in online classes, including how to help culturally diverse students succeed online.
  • Designed various face-to-face and online courses for institutions, including resident medical training, and has experience in mapping out curriculums and assessing programs.
  • Trained in faculty development, including working with individuals and institutions to create better student outcomes for faculty via teacher training and support focusing on student-centered teaching and intercultural competencies.

Relevant Publications and Presentations (since 2002)

  • Shibata, A. M. (2012). Faculty development for interculturally transformative education. In C. J. Boden-McGill, K. P. King, & L. Merritt (Eds.), Conversations about adult learning in our complex world (pp. 33–45). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc.
  • Shibata, A. (2012). “Creating Student-Centered Classes.” Presented at Northeast Ohio Medical University.
  • Shibata, A. (2012). “What Is Intercultural Communication?” Presented at Chikushi Jogakuen University .
  • Shibata, A. (2011). “Tips and Techniques for the Educational Practitioner’s Toolkit.” Presented at Northeast Ohio Medical University.
  • Shibata, A. (2010). “Attracting Japanese Students to Your Online Programs.” Presented at 16th Annual Sloan-C International Conference.
  • Shibata, A. M. (2008). Japanese undergraduate readiness for US online graduate programs. (Doctoral dissertation). Capella University, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Shibata, A., & Stivers, J. (2008) “Cross-Cultural Sensitivity Workshop for Undergraduate Education Majors Using BAFA BAFA Simulation.” Presented at Marist College.
  • Shibata, A. M. (2007). Exploring intercultural communication issues in online classes: Where theory and teaching meet. Explorations in Media Ecology, Eastern Communication Association. NY: Hampton Press, 6(2), 136–148.
  • Shibata, A. (2007). “Exploring Intercultural Communication Issues in Online Classes: Where Theory and Teaching Meet.” Marist College panel presentation, Eastern Communication Association. Shibata, A. M. (2001). A specialist offers advice: The most important ten percent. Success Stories: Japan. (Newsletter). New York City, NY.
  • Shibata, A. M. (1998). Intercultural communication concepts and implications for language teachers. JALT (Japan Association of Language Teachers) Journal, 20(2), 104–118. Tokyo, Japan.
  • Shibata, A., & Gaston, B. (1998). “BARNGA, an Intercultural Simulation.” Facilitated at Kurume University .
  • Shibata, A. (1997). Intercultural communication: Conceptual frameworks, pedagogical strategies and sociocultural issues. Journal of Chikushi Jogakuen University, 9, 127–149. Fukuoka, Japan.
  • Shibata, A. (1997). “The Japanese Identity Construct and the Changing Attitudes of Japan’s Youth.” Presented at the Third Annual East West Communication Conference, Hong Kong Baptist University.
  • Shibata, A., & Gaston, B. (1997). “Demystifying Intercultural Communication.” Workshop for instructors: JALT (Japan Association of Language Teachers) Convention.
  • Shibata, A. M. (1996). Perceptions of responsibility and role definition of Japanese parents and teachers; Tsuyazaki elementary school: A case study. (Unpublished master’s thesis). State University of New York, Oneonta, NY.
  • Shibata, A. M. (1995). An intercultural approach to second-language instruction. Eigo Kyoiku (The English Teacher’s Magazine), 44(11), 34–36. Taishukan: Tokyo, Japan.
  • Shibata, A. M. (1993). Home sweet home. In Oka, W., (Ed.), Bridges to cross (Intercultural ESL textbook) AFWJ (pp. 13–16). Kenkyusha: Tokyo, Japan.

Professional Affiliations

  • Higher Education Teaching and Learning
  • The Adult Higher Education Alliance
  • National Communication Association
  • Sloan Consortium