Impact in Education: Ka-Chun (Joseph) Siu, PhD

Ka-Chun (Joseph) Siu, PhD, will be the recipient of the Inspirational Mentor of Educators Award at the Impact in Education Awards March 14. The award recognizes an individual who has mentored junior faculty or trainees in developing as health professions educators.

• Name: Ka-Chun (Joseph) Siu, PhD
• Title: Professor and chair of Global Health Opportunities in the physical therapy program, UNMC College of Allied Health Professions
• Joined UNMC: 2009
• Hometown: Hong Kong

You’re the winner of the Inspirational Mentor of Educators Award. Please tell us how mentors inspired you.

I am fortunate to have had several mentors inspire and assist me in my academic career. From physical therapy school to graduate school and throughout my early academic career, I have had mentors guide and support me in making critical decisions to advance my academic growth. I believe my full trust in my mentors led to many successes. Their inspiration always drove me to do better, and I believe my accomplishments would make them proud. 

Describe your proudest moment as an educator.

My proudest moment as an educator is to see the growth of my mentees and students and to celebrate the successes of their academic advancements. As an educator, I want to make an impact on a mentee or a student. It takes time and effort to guide our mentees and students to grow and improve their academic abilities. With each milestone our mentees and students accomplish, we should be proud, whether the accomplishment is big or small.

What advice would you give other faculty members who want to have an impact in education?

Always keep your eyes open for opportunities to meet future mentees and students. Always look for moments when you can share your experience and ideas with mentees and students. You will increase your chances to build optimal relationships with future mentees and students and make an impact.

Do you have a favorite quote or philosophy on teaching?

There is an old idiom: “To teach is to learn.” When both teacher and student make progress by learning from each other, teaching becomes a tool that benefits both teachers and students simultaneously. I frequently reflect on this idiom with my peers, graduate students and professional students to ensure I am not just a teacher, but a learner as well.