"When we understand that our life is not our own, but to serve where God places us, then we can rest in the peace that God has gone before us and we need only follow."
-- Hyne-Ju Huizenga, Instructor of Leadership
Hyne-Ju Huizenga, is a Business Stream instructor and advisor for TWU’s Master of Arts in Leadership program, as well as an instructor for the International Degree Completion program.
She was born near Busan in South Korea. Hyne-Ju’s grandfather had been a prisoner of war in the Japanese war camps during World War II, and his second oldest son, Hyne-Ju's father, went on to become South Korea's military ambassador to the U.S. Hyne-Ju's mother was a school teacher.
Hyne-Ju graduated from the MA in Leadership program in 2016. “As we navigate COVID-19, I am ever thankful for how the MA Leadership program prepared me for such a time as this,” she said.
Today, following a retirement in 2018 from almost thirty years in business management, Hyne-Ju is completing a PhD in management, specializing in leadership and organizational change. She has also finished the Public Leadership program at Harvard University.
Honouring International Women’s Day at TWU: Faculty Reflections
Every year on March 8, the global community celebrates International Women's Day. It is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. At Trinity Western, we seek to honour the many women leaders and educators who help our University thrive and advance into the future.
Hyne-Ju brings with her extensive management experience, having worked in different capacities, including marketing manager, for various business units in the Lower Mainland, and working alongside the national marketing director on a campaign collaboration with the BC Lions and TSN, even getting to be on the field for a live televised “Kick for a Million” event. For business units facing particular challenges, Hyne-Ju was sent in to stabilize operations and facilitate change management. She was involved in transitioning the Wendy’s brand through two mergers and acquisitions.
In the below interview, we hear from Hyne-Ju about what has helped her along her path to leadership.
1. Hi Hyne-Ju Huizenga, what has helped you in your journey of leadership, and what are a few tips you have?
The greatest help in my journey of leadership has been the specific people God has put in my path. There is no such thing as coincidence. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." As long as I rest in Christ, following His good purpose, I know I am living out the calling for my life. When we understand that our life is not our own, but to serve where God places us, then we can rest in the peace that God has gone before us and we need only to follow. My journey of leadership consists mostly of following the Godly leaders placed in my path.
2. Who are some of the women who inspire you, and why?
The women who inspire me are the many I have had the privilege of interacting with here at Trinity Western University. Whether it is Sandy Cameron, my first contact with TWU and the Adult Degree Completion (ADC) program advisor, who had such grace that I immediately felt a sense of belonging with her welcoming presence, or my previous leadership instructors — including Dr. Tina Wu, Linda Vandersys, and Sylvia Koltzenburg — who provided the example of strong women of integrity transforming the lives of their students.
3.What has been a highlight of teaching at TWU in recent months?
The highlight of teaching at TWU in recent months has been some favorable Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SETL) evaluations, even with the challenging completely online format of learning. Although I gain the most insight from the constructive feedback given by my students, the kind comments of some, such as the following one, still encourages me to live up to their words: "Thank-you so much for being such a great support and a motivator to me. Your encouragement helped me to get adjusted in the new scenario, and perform and pass with excellent results."
See also: Hyne-Ju Huizenga's life journey:
Hyne-Ju Huizenga's Story
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has five campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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