Edward M. Feasel Named President of Soka University of America

Edward M. Feasel has been appointed the second president of Soka University of America, the SUA Board of Trustees announced. Feasel, who most recently served as executive vice president and chief operating officer, replaces founding President Daniel Y. Habuki effective today.

Feasel has had a long and distinguished career at Soka, beginning in 1998 as the first dean of students at SUA’s Aliso Viejo campus. He has also served as dean of faculty, as vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer. Feasel has also been active as a professor of economics, mentoring many students over the years.

Habuki, who announced his retirement in June, was named president emeritus of the university.

“Soka University of America could not have come this far without the extraordinary efforts of Dr. Daniel Habuki,” SUA Board of Trustees Chair Stephen Dunham wrote in a statement. “In recognition of his sincere and heartfelt leadership over the past 27 years, the Board of Trustees has named Dr. Habuki as President Emeritus of SUA in deep appreciation for his years of service and dedication to the university.”

Feasel received his PhD in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and his BA in economics magna cum laude from Yale University. Prior to coming to Soka, he worked at the Public Policy Institute of California, UC Berkeley, George Washington University, Central European University in Prague, Czech Republic, and the University of Economics, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. Feasel has published numerous scholarly articles and books, most recently Trade Policy and Economic Growth in Eras of Globalization, and Japan’s Aid: Lessons for Economic Growth, Development and Political Economy.

“Given his extensive experience and vision for SUA’s future,” Dunham wrote, “Dr. Feasel personifies the attributes that the Board was seeking in appointing our next president.”

Feasel said he is inspired by the founding principles of the university founder Daisaku Ikeda, and shared his vision in a statement that accompanied the announcement of his appointment. Feasel also introduced his new leadership team.

“As we enter into the 20th anniversary of SUA in Aliso Viejo,” Dunham wrote, “we look forward to Dr. Feasel’s dynamic leadership and have full confidence in him to elevate SUA to the next level and fulfill our grand mission for peace, human rights, and the sanctity of life through supporting and educating our students to become global citizens committed to these ideals.”