MU Representatives Attend China Conference and Graduation

MANSFIELD, PA– John Ulrich, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Brad Lint, Associate Professor of English and US-China Exchange Coordinator, recently represented Mansfield University in China.

Lint traveled to Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing to help incoming Mansfield University Chinese students prepare for their visa interviews.

In Chongqing, Ulrich and Lint represented MU at the 2019 Sino-American CHEPD (Cooperation in Higher Education and Professional Development) 1+2+1 Program Annual Conference. The first day of the conference was devoted to two seminars: “How to Improve: Issues, Solutions, and Models for Experimental Classes” and “Promoting Programs in Music and Fine Arts: A Language Embracing All Languages.” The second day featured the President’s Forum, which focused on celebrating the 40th anniversary of Sino-US relations, as well as a panel discussion between American and Chinese university leaders regarding trends, challenges, and opportunities in higher education exchange.

During the conference, Ulrich and Lint met with representatives of several Chinese partner universities, including Changzhou Institute of Technology, Xi’an Music Conservatory, University of Jinan, Guizhou University, and North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power. They discussed agreements, course articulation, Chinese student cohorts, delegation visits, and visiting scholar arrangements.

At the 16th Annual CHEPD 1+2+1 Graduation Ceremony, Ulrich presented MU diplomas to three graduating Chinese students: Mengyue Huang, Business Administration, Ningbo University of Technology; Congzheng Jia, Chemistry, Huaqiao University; and Xinlin Wang, Graphic Design – Print Graphics, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. Xinlin also received special recognition as “Outstanding Graduate” for maintaining a GPA above 3.5. 

Through the 1+2+1 dual degree transfer program, Chinese students complete their first year of study at their home institution in China, their next two years at an American partner university, and their final year back at their home institution. The three MU students graduating this year completed all the requirements for their degree programs at both Mansfield University and their home institution in China, earning diplomas from each institution.

While in Chongqing, Ulrich and Lint also met with MU alum Debbie Jennings (BA Political Science ’17), who has been teaching English and studying Chinese in Chongqing for the past year. Debbie attended the American-Chinese partner university meet-and-greet, helping to promote Mansfield University.

Ulrich and Lint were among 57 representatives from 24 American universities. They were joined by 222 representatives from more than 100 Chinese partner universities. As a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), Mansfield University has participated in the CHEPD 1+2+1 dual degree transfer program since 2007. Each year, member universities are required to send a coordinator and senior administrator to participate in visa orientations as well as the conference and graduation ceremony.