Jason Lau, Ph.D.
Higher Education Administrator and Adjunct Faculty in California
Jason Lau, Ph.D.
Higher Education Administrator and Adjunct Faculty in California
Dr. Jason Lau is a product of American Public Higher Education.
Lau traveled from Hong Kong to the United States to be the first member of his family to receive a college education. He had no money and brought just two suitcases with him to Iowa.
Currently, he serves as Executive Director and Senior Business Officer for the School of Extended and International Education at Sonoma State University and adjunct faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College.
Prior to his position at SSU, he served as Director of Community Education, Lifelong Learning and International Education at the Marin Community College District in Kentfield and Indian Valley Campuses in North Bay California.
Jason also served effectively as one of the senior management team members of the Camp Adventure™ Child and Youth Services program headquartered at the University of Northern Iowa. This international service-learning program provides American college students opportunities to plan and implement programs at U.S. military bases, U.S. embassies, international schools, and British Military installations throughout the world. As Assistant Director, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations as well as managing the program’s field activities throughout Asia. Today, over 1,400 students are working through Camp Adventure™ in over 120 placement locations in 17+ countries. The program encourages global awareness and cultural sensitivity, as well as diversity and inclusion, serving appropriately 750,000 children and youth annually based on daily participation rates.
In 2011, the University of Northern Iowa's Alumni Association honored him with the prestigious Heritage Honours Young Alumnus Award. This award is presented to a graduate who has demonstrated success early in his/her career and who has been active in the life of the University. In 2016, he was inducted into the UNI's Elinor A. Crawford & William R. Thrall Hall of Excellence.
Lau holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy & Leadership Studies from The University of Iowa. He is also a Certified Park & Recreational Professional (CPRP). Lau also earned a Diploma in Social Work form the HK Polytechnic University and was a registered social worker. At UNI he received his BA (summa cum laude) and MA in Leisure, Youth and Human Services Administration.