Matthew J. Wilson

J.D. (Juris Doctor)

 

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Arrow-Large Message from the Dean

In September 2020, Matt Wilson returned to Temple University as President and Dean of the Japan campus. During his tenure, Wilson has helped spearhead record enrollments, elevate the focus on student success, direct an innovative strategic plan, and shepherd the largest gift ever in the history of Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ). Wilson has also been the driving force behind TUJ’s new multi-building satellite location in Kyoto nearby the world-famous Fushimi Inari Shrine as well as collaborative agreements across Japan (Kyoto-fu, Kyoto-shi, Osaka-fu, Nagasaki-ken, Yamanashi-ken, Ehime-ken, and the city of Setagaya), and arrangements with top universities around the globe.

In his first five years, undergraduate enrollments have increased by about 165% with the student population reaching over 3,300 students. He also oversaw the successful launch of TUJ’s second location in Kyoto in January 2025, which now serves about 300 students. During this same period, Wilson has tripled the size of TUJ’s full-time faculty and expanded the academic portfolio by establishing new full-degree programs including computer science, Temple’s globally renowned, top-10 ranked tourism and hospitality management major, and a master’s degree in communication management. He has also advanced creative opportunities for students, including the ability to study at Temple’s main campus in Philadelphia or its Rome campus at TUJ’s affordable tuition rates. Wilson orchestrated new student leadership and esports programs, secured assistance for nine Ukrainian evacuees to complete their university education at TUJ, and introduced multiple initiatives to further strengthen student success and global opportunities.

Leading up to this appointment, Wilson served as president of the University of Akron (Ohio, USA) and president of Missouri Western State University (Missouri, USA). In leading various universities, Wilson has consistently placed students first while emphasizing academic quality, innovation, practical learning, globalization, entrepreneurship, flexibility, and affordability.

While president at the University of Akron, Wilson helped lead the university to a remarkable two-year budgetary turnaround, eliminating a projected $30 million deficit in 2016–2017 and adding $12 million to reserves. Wilson also participated in fundraising efforts that saw a substantial increase in donations including a $20 million Making a Difference Moving Forward student scholarship campaign and the largest single gift in university history. He also oversaw innovative approaches to student recruitment, retention, and internationalization.

Prior to serving as president, Wilson was dean of the University of Akron School of Law, where he oversaw a successful $21 million debt-free renovation and fundraising campaign for the law school facilities and helped achieve a 40% increase in new student enrollment over two years. He also served as associate dean of the University of Wyoming College of Law and senior associate dean and general counsel of Temple University Japan. He taught a wide variety of law courses at all three schools and also served as a visiting professor at four universities in Asia (Japan, South Korea, and China). Wilson has lectured extensively across the country and the world. He has made appearances on national television and radio in Japan and South Korea.

Before beginning his higher education career, Wilson was an international lawyer with Akerman Senterfitt P.A. in Orlando, Florida, and general counsel for Advanced Telecommunications Network, Inc./YPD/com, in New Jersey and Florida. Wilson is an active member of the Florida State Bar Association, Law & Society Association, and Asian Law & Society Association. He is a board member of JAFSA, the Japan Network for International Education. He also served as presidential representative on the NCAA esports working group. In addition to his higher education and legal career, Wilson has worked for several Japanese companies, including a hydrological and meteorological instruments manufacturer, a large electronics maker, and a medical instruments manufacturer.

Wilson received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies with a Japanese minor from the University of Utah. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law. He and his wife, Noriko, have four children and six grandchildren.