USJP Staff
Shinobu Tanaka Sullivan, Associate Director
Originally from Osaka, Japan, Shinobu joined USJP as Associate Director in June 2017. She has been teaching at the Japanese Supplemental School (JSS) since 2011 and became assistant principal when she joined USJP. Her mission is to enhance the educational environment at NMJSS by leveraging her expertise in education and art as specialized fields in both Japan and New York, USA. Shinobu is also committed to fostering connections between the US and Japan through this unique program at The University of Mississippi.
She enjoys traveling, photography, art in general, painting, and pottery, and she loves both dogs and cats! Additionally, she appreciates visiting MLB stadiums with her son and enjoys watching baseball games the most.
Kana Machida, Instructor
Kana Machida is from Shizuoka and joined USJP as a graduate school assistant in August 2023. She spent her childhood and college years in her hometown and completed her bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Shizuoka. After graduation, she gained experience at a system company in Tokyo. Finally, she entered the Graduate School of Applied Linguistics at the University of Mississippi. Her interests include the effective way of second language acquisition. She is passionate about incorporating what she learned in her life into her classes.
Kana loves the scenery of Oxford. Now, she’s looking forward to exploring the city’s places to eat, play, and relax.
Riho Ishii, Instructor
Riho Ishii is from Hyogo, Japan, and joined USJP as a graduate assistant in August 2024. Riho received her B.A. in Integrated Arts and Sciences from Hiroshima University. Since her university days, she has worked as an English instructor mainly for children. Then, in the fall of 2024, she entered the Graduate School of Applied Linguistics at the University of Mississippi. She is passionate about exploring the relationship between human languages and identities, focusing on speakers of English as a second language.
Riho loves traveling with her friends, doing her nail art, baking, and learning new languages. Exploring good coffee shops in Oxford is the latest addition to her list of hobbies.