MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A Middle Tennessee State University honors alumnus and student have been selected for the highly competitive Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, with fall 2024 graduate Brandon Toungett making history as the first MTSU student chosen for the elite role of Coordinator for International Relations, or CIR.

Toungett, who majored in Japanese, will serve in a professional administrative role in Japan beginning in August. His placement as a CIR — awarded to less than 10% of JET participants — will involve translation, interpreting, international outreach, and cultural exchange work within a Japanese government office or related organization.

“We don’t get to send many CIRs from our region, given the high language requirements of the position,” said Tye Ebel, JET Program coordinator at the Japan Consulate in Nashville. “His success is a testament to his hard work and the quality of MTSU’s Japanese Program.” 

The JET Program is a selective initiative sponsored by the Japanese government that invites graduates worldwide to work in schools and government offices to promote international exchange. Most participants serve as assistant language teachers, or ALTs, while a few, like Toungett, are placed in more specialized roles.

Rare, respected role

Unlike the more common ALT role, coordinators, or CIRs, must demonstrate a high level of fluency in Japanese and are placed in municipal offices, cultural centers, or international departments. Their duties vary by location but often include translating government documents, interpreting for guests or foreign residents, coordinating exchange events, and teaching language and culture classes to the local community.

“I am thankful and fortunate to be given this opportunity to use this passion to help bring Japan and the United States closer together,” Toungett said. “I am most excited to use the Japanese language to aid this exchange process practically, and thanks to the MTSU Japanese Language Department, I feel comfortable in my abilities.”

Toungett’s academic background and language skills uniquely prepared him for the position, which blends diplomacy, education and international outreach. His selection is expected to open doors in global nonprofit work, foreign service or intercultural education after his time in Japan.

Priya Ananth, a professor of Japanese in the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures within MTSU’s College of Liberal Arts, was not surprised that Toungett received the CIR position. In spring 2024, he completed a weeklong internship program with IB Tech (Imasan), a Japanese company in Mt. Pleasant. He also volunteered for an interpretation assignment for a group of visitors from Zama City under the Smyrna-Zama Sister City Program.

“He had already passed the second-highest level of the highly competitive Japanese Language Proficiency Test, an international accreditation issued by the Japan Foundation,” Ananth explained. “His academic excellence and hands-on experiences were key to his successful CIR application in the JET program. I am very proud of his achievements and wish him the best for a bright future.”

Another Blue Raider joins JET

While Toungett prepares for administrative work, MTSU senior John Tate will head to Japan as an assistant language teacher after graduating in May with a degree in video and film production from the Honors College and College of Media and Entertainment.

Tate’s interest in Japan was sparked by his love of Japanese game shows, which inspired his Honors thesis project — a 40-minute original show titled “Go! Go! Challenge.” The show, styled after Japanese TV staples like “Takeshi’s Castle,” featured elaborate challenges and quirky visuals. It was the first production of its kind at MTSU.

“Seeing clips on YouTube of tires being used on ski jumps or contestants balancing on boxes made me appreciate the humor and creativity of Japanese TV,” Tate said. “Creating my show was the biggest challenge I’ve ever taken on — and it was worth it.”

Tate hopes to parlay his experience into a Japanese media and entertainment career. As an ALT, he will assist English teachers and may also explore ways to introduce broadcasting or video production in his future school community.

Building global bridges

MTSU has a powerful record with the JET Program, sending 55 alumni between 2008-24. “I am thrilled to see that legacy of success continue into 2025,” said Ebel said. 

Toungett and Tate credit MTSU and its faculty for encouraging them to pursue international opportunities like JET.

“My professors and mentors taught me to give my best and think bigger,” Tate said. “JET is a leap — but it’s the challenge I’ve been preparing for.”

“While I gained some soft skills at MTSU, this program will help me build essential professional skills — like interpreting, event planning, and working in a multicultural setting — that will benefit both my career and personal growth,” Toungett said. “It will also show future employers that I’m ready for a dynamic role.”

For more about the JET Program, visit https://jetprogramusa.org.

— Robin E. Lee (Robin.E.Lee@mtsu.edu)