As the Associate Dean of Library and Learning Innovation, Dr. Leslie Tirapelle provides strategic direction and vision for TUJ’s Library, Tutoring Services, and Accessibility Services. She serves as a leader in the development of TUJ’s distance learning, educational technology, and professional development resources s for online teaching, as well as the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies. She has over twenty years of experience in higher education as an Associate Professor and Librarian (1998 - 2010), and as the Dean of Library & Distance Education, Professional Development, and Student Success Centers (2010 – 2021) at Pasadena City College (PCC) in Southern California. Prior to PCC, she worked in a variety of libraries including the Scripps Institute of Oceanography Library, the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, and the USC Law Library.
Dr. Tirapelle has a long track-record of introducing and managing innovative programs and technologies in higher education. She has led several large-scale library services platform migrations, as well as institution-wide technology implementations such as Canvas. She is an ardent supporter of affordable and equitable access to education for all students; strongly advocating for the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER), the development Zero-cost textbook (ZTC) courses, and the application of Universal Design principles in the university’s programs, resources, and services. She enjoys working with colleagues across campus to establish and reach common student-centered goals; particularly initiatives that support institutional excellence, operational efficiencies, quality instruction, equal access, and inclusive environments.
Dr. Tirapelle was born in Taiwan and raised in Singapore. She moved to the United States to attend college and remained in the U.S. until joining TUJ in August 2021.
Contact Information
Temple University, Japan Campus
Library Office
1-14-29 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan 154-0004 (Access)