Two APSU graduates selected for prestigious JET Program to teach in Japan
By: Public Relations and Marketing August 4, 2025
From left: Dr. Chad Brooks, associate provost for research and dean of APSU鈥檚 College of Graduate Studies; Jacob Gunter; Consul General of Japan Shinji Watanabe; Christian Taliento; and Kelly Pitts, assistant director of APSU鈥檚 Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. | Contributed photo
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University (APSU) has announced that two recent graduates, Jacob Gunter and Christian Taliento, have been selected for the highly competitive
Sponsored by the Japanese government, the JET Program invites young professionals from around the world to live and work in Japan as assistant language teachers (ALTs) or in cultural exchange roles. Participants receive full funding, including airfare, housing support, and a competitive salary, with the option to renew their contracts for up to five years.
Selection to the JET Program is rigorous, requiring a strong academic background, cultural adaptability, and a demonstrated passion for Japanese language and culture. Gunter and Taliento embody these qualities and bring with them extensive experience and deep ties to military service and higher education.
Gunter, a military family member, holds a 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree in history and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a concentration in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). While completing his licensure requirements this past spring, he worked as a special education support specialist. Currently, he is pursuing a second 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree in national security studies.
Taliento, a U.S. Army veteran who served for eight years, holds a 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree in public relations, along with two master鈥檚 degrees 鈥 one in communication and another in leadership. He also earned two graduate certificates, one in conflict resolution and negotiation and one in TESOL. Taliento currently serves as an instructor in APSU鈥檚 Department of Communication.
Both credit their selection to the JET Program to the guidance of APSU faculty members Dr. David Rands and Dr. Chad Brooks.
鈥淒r. Rands is the most passionate and influential professor and mentor I鈥檝e had,鈥 Gunter said. 鈥淚鈥檝e always liked Japanese culture, but until I experienced Dr. Rands鈥 study abroad trip, I didn鈥檛 truly know Japan. Theory will only get you so far.鈥
Taliento added that he appreciated Rands鈥 wisdom and guidance throughout the process, along with the mentorship he received from Brooks.
鈥淭o Dr. Brooks 鈥 thank you for your time, your patience, and your unmatched grant-writing expertise,鈥 Taliento said. 鈥淵our support has opened doors for my future success. I look forward to collaborating again soon. Metal sharpens metal, sir.鈥
Earlier this year, Gunter and Taliento were invited to attend a meeting of the , where they met with Consul General of Japan Shinji Watanabe. APSU is a proud member of JAST, a nonprofit organization that fosters cultural and business ties between Tennessee and Japan.
鈥淭ennessee has the second-largest concentration of Japanese investment in the U.S., with more than 60,000 Tennesseans employed by Japanese companies,鈥 Watanabe said.
At the same event, Sen. Bill Hagerty praised young Tennesseans like Gunter and Taliento for stepping forward to serve as global ambassadors and building bridges between nations.
As they prepare to depart for Japan this fall, both graduates are eager to immerse themselves in Japanese society, serve as cultural ambassadors, and deepen their understanding of the language and culture. Their journey not only marks a personal milestone but also reflects APSU鈥檚 growing commitment to global engagement and its continued support for veterans and military-affiliated students pursuing international opportunities.