Gil Latz

Gil Latz has served as a professor and administrative leader for the past forty years in Oregon, Indiana, Ohio and Japan. Most recently, he was vice provost for global strategies and international affairs, professor of geography, and affiliated faculty, East Asian Studies Center, The Ohio State University (2019-23), retiring in 2024. Currently serving as a University Professor at Waseda University in Tokyo, he also holds a position on the Board of Directors of Waseda USA, where he helps foster student and faculty exchange between Japan and the U.S. as well as on the Strategic Policy Committee, Office of the President. Additionally, he is a Leadership Fellow at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, contributing to research on Japanese philanthropy and global civic leadership.

A two-time Fulbright Scholar (Italy and France), Gil has received recognition for his contributions to global education, including an array of research funding from prestigious U.S. and Japanese institutions. He has authored several books and articles on topics related to international education and has been involved in the production of educational media that has won significant awards, such as an Emmy for The Pacific Century documentary series.

Latz holds a BA (1974) from Occidental College, majoring in Religious Studies and English Literature. He earned his MA (1978) and PhD (1986) degrees in geography from the University of Chicago. From 1980-84, he was a graduate research student at the University of Tokyo as part of his dissertation field work on 20th century agricultural development policy.