What’s your mission in academia?
To provide a healthy environment in which students can be challenged and learn.

How did you become interested in your subject area?
Though my undergraduate degree is in industrial technology, I was always interested in art when I grew up. After taking an art elective class at college, I fell in love with clay as a creative material, which led me to pursue a graduate study in art years later.  

What do students learn from you?
To have passion toward art, a good work ethic and to be a good problem-solver.

What makes your class interesting? Exciting?
When my students discover that they are able to create something out of nothing – well, just by using a lump of clay – they become excited. Aren’t we all excited playing with mud when we grew up?

What’s the best question you’ve ever been asked? What was your answer?
How can I survive with an art degree? My answer: Being very good at what you do, you’ll always find a way in life.

What kinds of things do your graduates do?
Ceramics artwork.

What is your favorite aspect of your subject? Why?
Working with clay. It can be fun and challenging at the same time.

What most pleases you about society today?
I am pleased to see the development of technology in recent years, which has brought our world closer. The new generation has increasingly relied on technology in daily life. As a studio art instructor, I feel it is ever more important today to provide students with direct art studio experience. Art teaches students to solve problems and overcome challenges analytically as well as through intuitive sense.

What’s your current research?
Exploration of ceramic material and its possibilities in creating unique art. 

What’s a good book you recently read?
“Paper Daughter” by Elaine Ma.

Where do you go in DeKalb for a good meal?
Thai Pavilion.

Who was your favorite professor? Why?
Professor Harris Deller, who has inspired me to be a good artist.

Why should students come to NIU?
For its quality and affordable education.

What’s your best advice to students who want to succeed?
Be passionate, inquisitive, persistent and take risks.

If you weren’t teaching, what would you be doing?
A full-time artist.

Photos by Scott Walstrom, NIU Media Services

School: Art

Hometown: Taiwan

My degrees: MFA, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale; B.Ed., National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan

Arrived at NIU: 1990

I teach: Ceramics