2026 Alumna of the Year: Dr. Hyungji Park '85

Hyungji Park ‘85 is a distinguished scholar, educational leader, and devoted member of the Seoul Foreign School community whose relationship with SFS spans five decades. She first joined the school as a second-grade student in 1975 and graduated with the Class of 1985. Since then, she has remained deeply engaged with SFS as an alumna, parent, volunteer, Alumni Committee member, Board of Governors member, and Board Chair.

Hyungji earned an A.B. in English and American Literature from Harvard University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in English from Princeton University. She is a Professor of English Literature at Yonsei University, where her scholarship includes Victorian literature, Korean popular culture, Asian American literature, and contemporary fiction. She was a founding member of Underwood International College, later served as Dean, and helped develop innovative academic programs that expanded global learning opportunities for students.

Beyond higher education, Hyungji has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service. She has served as Interim Executive Director of UNICEF Korea and held board roles with UNICEF Korea and the Asan Institute of Policy Studies. She is also a co-founder of Women in Governance, a network of women board chairs across the Asia-Pacific region that promotes collaboration and leadership in international school governance.

At SFS, Hyungji’s leadership has helped guide the school’s future while honoring its longstanding values of belonging, service, and global citizenship. Reflecting on her own experience, she credits SFS with shaping her understanding of empathy, respect, and cross-cultural understanding.

In recognition of her professional accomplishments, public service, and extraordinary lifelong dedication to Seoul Foreign School, Hyungji Park was named the 2026 Alumna of the Year.