UMUC Asia - Staff Biographies

WILLIAM BECK II Vice President and Director, Asian Division
Dr. Beck, a veteran UMUC faculty member in both Asia and Europe, initially joined UMUC and the Asian Division in 1997 and for the next two years taught a variety of courses in economics and mathematics at several different locations. Dr. Beck also served as Coordinator, Faculty Development, for the Asian Division. He then transferred to the European Division in 1999 and spent the next six years teaching with UMUC in Europe before returning to the Asian Division in 2005. Dr. Beck received a B.S. in economics from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an M.A. in economics from the University of Michigan, and a second M.A. and a Ph.D., also in economics, from the University of Colorado. He taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy before joining the UMUC program. Dr. Beck assumed his current position in March 2007.

ATSUKO YAMADA BERGLOF Japanese Language Academic Director
Ms. Yamada received her B.A. from UMUC and her M.A. in comparative culture from Sophia University in Tokyo. She also holds a Certificate in Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language from Japan's National Language Research Institute; a Certificate in Japanese Linguistics from the Society for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language; and an additional Certificate in Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language from Asahi Culture Center in Tokyo. Along with members of a study group affiliated with the National Language Research Institute she is coauthor of two books on Japanese, one for beginners and one for advanced students: 'Tips for Improving Your Japanese' and 'Tips for Improving Your Japanese II: Adverbs.' Ms. Yamada has taught for UMUC in the Tokyo area for many years, and in the distance education program, and currently serves as UMUC Asia Academic Director for Japanese Language and Culture.

ADDY BERRYHILL Academic Advisor Coordinator
Addy Berryhill holds a B.S. in geology from the University of Mississippi and a B.A. in Asian studies from UMUC. She has held various positions with the University of Maryland University College in Okinawa, Japan before assuming her current position. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Science Education with Florida State University.

CHARLES BRECHBILL Assistant Director, D.E.
Charles (Chuck) Brechbill earned his B.S. in professional aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and is currently pursuing a masters degree in Distance Education from UMUC. He joined UMUC Asia in 2002, serving as Proctored Exam Administrator. In 2004 he moved to his current position, overseeing the daily operations of the Asia DE program. Prior to joining UMUC Mr. Brechbill served for 20 years as an Air Traffic Controller with the U.S. Air Force.