Dr. Thomas Takayama has been named dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Greenville Technical College. Working in higher education for 18 years, Takayama has served in both educator and administrator roles at some of the country’s leading community colleges.
Dr. Takayama began his education career at McHenry County College, where he was a music professor, later becoming chair of the music department, and finally serving as executive dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. Moving on to Valencia College, he served as dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. Most recently, he taught in the Humanities department at Walters State Community College.
While serving as an administrator, Takayama has continued to teach classes in music and the humanities each semester. In addition, he directed several staged musicals at McHenry County College and Valencia College. He enjoys performing, conducting, composing, and recording music, and has performed with the Grant Park Orchestra and Chicago Chamber Orchestra.
Takayama earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in Music History/Literature from Southern Illinois University, a Music Performance Certificate (French Horn) from the University of Illinois, and a doctorate in Music History/Literature with Music Education minor from the University of Mississippi.
Throughout his career, he has won institutional and national awards such as McHenry County College Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year Award in 2007 – 2008 and McHenry County College Administrator of the Year Award in 2011 – 2012. He has also been recognized as an award winner in 2008 by