AWAKEN YOUR PURPOSE
Join a community where East meets West and compassion shapes learning and life
ABOUT UWEST
University of the West is a private, nonprofit university located in Los Angeles County, near the San Gabriel Mountains. Our beautiful green campus, modern classrooms, full-service library, on-site residence halls, and recreational facilities make UWest an educational oasis within the bustling Los Angeles metropolis.
UWest brings high-quality instruction and inclusive student services to our diverse local and global communities. In all of our programs—from the bachelor’s through the doctoral level—we blend Buddhist wisdom with Western academic traditions and new technology.
Students from around the world thrive in a caring, supportive, peaceful, and multicultural campus community. UWest’s small class sizes and attentive educators provide a personalized college experience focused on individual student success.
Find out more about the beautiful UWest campus, our focus on student purpose and whole person education, and our commitment to access through affordability.
GET TO KNOW UWEST
Thinking about applying to UWest? Make an appointment with one of our friendly and knowledgeable Enrollment team member! They'll help you navigate the abc's of applying to UWEST!
Nadia Simone, Enrollment Coordinator
INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF HUMANISTIC BUDDHISM
Inspired by Master Hsing Yun’s vision, ISHB is promoting the multi-faceted study of Chinese Buddhism under the global condition.
DIGITAL SANSKRIT BUDDHIST CANON PROJECT
Gathers, digitizes, and distributes the original Sanskrit scriptures of the Buddhist tradition. 50,000 (and growing) pages have been digitized and are currently being used by scholars all around the world.
UWEST COMMUNITY
Community is a core value—along with character and compassion—at UWest. As such, we take great pride in our community standing and engage with our community partners as much as possible.
In addition to local engagement, UWest is also an active member of an international consortium of universities.
Look out for news of our collaborations with local organizations such as the Rosemead and San Gabriel Chambers of Commerce, as well as our participation in academic conferences, research initiatives, and similar events nationally and abroad.
Dr. Kanae Omura-Armstrong
Kanae Omura is Associate Professor and Chair of UWest’s Department of General Education and Liberal Arts. She holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Ochanomizu, Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Omura earned her BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies and her MA in Education. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on indigenous cultures in Mexico with special emphasis on the role of arte popular in the formation of national identity and the intercultural relationship between Mexico and Japan. Her popular classes at UWest include Art and Anthropology and Japanese.
Meskerem Tadesse
Professor Meskerem Tadesse is Associate Professor of Business Administration. As a former corporate executive with two Fortune 500 corporations and diverse responsibilities in the US, Europe, and Asia, Prof. Tadesse aptly integrates her practical insights and real-world experience into the diverse BA and MBA classes she teaches. Her community engagement includes serving on for-profit and non-profit boards. She is a passionate teacher and dedicated mentor who effectively connects with her students and has twice been selected for UWest’s Outstanding Faculty Award.
Eddie Bernal
Eddie Bernal has been UWest’s residential hall coordinator since 2020. He holds a degree in Environmental Studies and Education from the University of California Santa Barbara, where he worked in residential life for five years. Eddie is a local of the area, so when you cannot find him on campus, he is either eating at one of his favorite restaurants (ask him for tips) or exploring the beautiful southern California region. He is a committed student affairs professional who supports empowerment, diversity, and inclusion in learning and living.
“As a transfer student from a community college, I appreciate UWest’s small campus and personalized academic success plan. It helps me keep my goals on track.”
Samantha Vargas
BA Liberal Arts
“UWest’s program integrating business and technology gave me the tools to launch my startup and build my career in tech entrepreneurship. The mixture of doing business and engaging with IT is what I enjoy the most.”
Saroj Bhandari
MBA Computer Information Systems
AWAKEN YOUR PURPOSE
Join a community where East meets West and compassion shapes learning and life.
“University of the West is a uniquely nurturing and empowering place of learning and creativity for faculty and students.
As an instructor, I’ve had the pleasure of developing and teaching courses on film, literature, and writing, in which my students write research papers, scripts for comic books and films, and short stories.
Some of my students have gone on to write, direct, and produce short films, create and run a film festival, write and self-publish a novel, launch crowdfunding campaigns, and create video-streaming channels—all before graduating from UWest.”