Dr. Weina Chen

Associate Professor of Bilingual Education
Education
Bilingual Education, Bilingual Authorization, Teaching and Learning Methodologies, Program Development and Evaluation
wchen2@umassgloabl.edu

Dr. Weina Li Chen, a third-generation Korean descendant born and raised in China. With over a decade of teaching experience across all age groups, Dr. Chen brings expertise in educational technologies, bilingual education, and learning design. Her work in teacher development has spanned K-12 to higher education, with an emphasis on training bilingual educators. Weina is an active practitioner, she frequently presents at both statewide and international conferences on teaching innovations and emerging learning technologies in the language education and higher education fields. Her academic background in global leadership, educational psychology, and management informs her teaching and research, while her passions extend to language learning and photography.

Education History

2021 - Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change, Pepperdine University, CA

  • Dissertation: "Faculty leadership practices in graduate hybrid education"

2014 - M.A. in Educational Psychology, Pepperdine University, CA

2008 - B.A. in Economics, Heilongjiang University, China

 

Scholarly Activities

2024

  • Asian Language Institution, Conference Planning Committee Member and Proposal Reviewer

2024

  • The Applications of AI Drawing Technologies in Language Teaching. 2024 CABE Annual Conference.

2023

  • Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Doctoral Education in Global Leadership and Change. WERA-ERAS International Conference 2023. Nanyang Technology University (NTU), Singapore.

 

Professional Experience

2019-2024 - Clinical Assistant Professor, Pepperdine University

  • Teaching in MA in TESOL, MS in Educational Leadership, and doctoral programs, courses related to learning technologies and program and learning design. Coordinating practicum placements for teacher candidates.

Co-Founder and Academic Director, Bilingual Brains Early Learning Academy

  • Developed a year-round curriculum for Chinese Mandarin and Spanish immersion program. Teacher training on language immersion teaching strategies in early childhood.

2017-2019 - Center Director & Chinese Mandarin Teacher, Ni Hao Chinese Language Immersion School

  • Managed a school site with 200-250 students from preschool age to adult learners; Teaching; Developed academic curriculums and supervised teachers’ training and implementation
 

Education History

2021 - Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change, Pepperdine University, CA

  • Dissertation: "Faculty leadership practices in graduate hybrid education"

2014 - M.A. in Educational Psychology, Pepperdine University, CA

2008 - B.A. in Economics, Heilongjiang University, China

 

Scholarly Activities

2024

  • Asian Language Institution, Conference Planning Committee Member and Proposal Reviewer

2024

  • The Applications of AI Drawing Technologies in Language Teaching. 2024 CABE Annual Conference.

2023

  • Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Doctoral Education in Global Leadership and Change. WERA-ERAS International Conference 2023. Nanyang Technology University (NTU), Singapore.

 

Professional Experience

2019-2024 - Clinical Assistant Professor, Pepperdine University

  • Teaching in MA in TESOL, MS in Educational Leadership, and doctoral programs, courses related to learning technologies and program and learning design. Coordinating practicum placements for teacher candidates.

Co-Founder and Academic Director, Bilingual Brains Early Learning Academy

  • Developed a year-round curriculum for Chinese Mandarin and Spanish immersion program. Teacher training on language immersion teaching strategies in early childhood.

2017-2019 - Center Director & Chinese Mandarin Teacher, Ni Hao Chinese Language Immersion School

  • Managed a school site with 200-250 students from preschool age to adult learners; Teaching; Developed academic curriculums and supervised teachers’ training and implementation