More than 100 staff members work in the Division of the Humanities. We’ll introduce you to our staff in this continuing series.

Hyeonjin Schubert
Center Administrator
Center for East Asian Studies

What do you like most about your job?

I enjoy working with amazing colleagues every day and the lively environment at UChicago. I also love interacting with our faculty and students through the various public events, conferences, and seminars we organize on campus year-round. I have the opportunity to travel and support the Center at the Association for Asian Studies annual conference. These experiences not only help me grow as a professional administrator but also keep my workday interesting and fulfilling

What was the last good book you read?

A good friend of mine recommended a book called Pachinko, so I borrowed the book from her and read it in one sitting. The novel, written by Korean- American author Min Jin Lee, starts with the line, "History failed us but no matter." It follows several generations of a Korean family living in Japan from the early 20th century to the 1980s. While you can watch it as a TV drama on Apple TV, I highly recommend reading the book first. It’s profoundly moving and inspirational, and I found myself deeply empathizing with the immigrants' struggles depicted through the main and supporting characters. 

You might work with me if …

If you’re a graduate or undergraduate student interested in East Asian studies or are doing any research related to East Asia.  I’m here to help connect you with the right people for our film library, outreach opportunities, grants and fellowships, and East Asian-related resources on and off campus in Chicago. I also work closely with the university’s payroll and HR departments to hire and place student workers and process payments and reimbursements. 

What is your favorite holiday, and how do you usually celebrate it?

My favorite holiday is New Year's Eve. It’s a great extension of the Christmas vibes and also my wedding anniversary. (I was married on December 31.) I usually celebrate by taking a day trip to Chicago or checking out nearby suburbs to try out some cute, trendy restaurants I’ve spotted on Instagram. In the evening, I tend to spend cozy time with hot cocoa and with my husband and my 12-year-old Shiba Inu/Jindo mix dog.