National Constitution Day Conversations
A national facilitated dialogue based on the fundamental value of the pursuit of knowledge for the public good.
A University Leader’s Glossary for AI and Machine Learning
A guide for college and university leaders to understand what AI actually is, and how it works.
Funding Stewardship of Place: Public Policies to Advance the Regional Stewardship Mission
Describes four public
policy priorities to help RCUs
reinvigorate and sustain stewardship
of place.
Understanding and Improving Student Outcomes: Completion and Beyond
Presidents/chancellors and senior leaders will explore student success beyond completion.
Exemplar Programs from ADP
Explore the rich history, powerful outcomes, and pervasive impact of these American Democracy Project programs.
Global Civic Literacy
Through partnership with World101 from the Council on Foreign Relations, faculty and staff designed curriculum, activities, and assessments to help students increase their knowledge of our global society and understand how global issues influence lives of everyday citizens. Occurring from 2019-2022, more than 80 faculty and staff from over 40 institutions participated in this project.
Resources
For more information and to access the critical resources that they created, please explore:
Participating in Politics
The Political Engagement Project (PEP), a partnership with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, advanced democratic and electoral engagement by providing students with both tangible and critical-thinking skills for participating in the political world.
The Engaged the Election 2016 project, a partnership with The Democracy Commitment and icitizen, a civic engagement app, advanced informed nonpartisan engagement in the presidential election.
Economic Literacy
The Economic Literacy project was in partnership with Up to Us,and included over 40 faculty at 19 institutions. Designed to help students increase their knowledge of the U.S. national debt, fiscal policy, and overall financial literacy, faculty created a toolkit to share their strategies and resources more broadly.
The Economic Inequality Initiative focused on understanding the impact of economic inequality on our democracy while helping students think about and take action to confront its complex causes.
The America’s Future Initiative, a partnership with Public Agenda from 2008 to 2011, focused on educating students about looming national debt and deficits, while exploring potential solutions.
Developing Citizenship Skills
The Deliberative Polling Initiative, a partnership with the Center for Deliberative Democracy, engaged 29 AASCU campuses in the exploration of strategies to engage students, faculty, staff and community members in discussions about public issues and to develop students’ citizenship skills.
The eCitizenship Initiative, a partnership with the Center for the Study of Citizenship at Wayne State University from 2009 to 2012, brought together campuses to examine how emerging technologies, particularly social networks, support and facilitate civic and political engagement.
Improving Civic Health and Agency
The Civic Agency Initiative, a partnership with the Center for Democracy and Citizenship from 2008 to 2012, sought to produce a series of national models for developing civic agency among undergraduates.
The Campus and Community Civic Health Initiative, a partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) from 2012 to 2014, was designed to identify and develop campus and community civic health assessments and tools, as well as action plans that responded to the findings.
Questions about past programs? Let us know.
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China Studies Institute
The China Studies Institute (CSI) is a multidisciplinary professional development institute focused on helping participants integrate Chinese studies into the undergraduate curricula.
Learn more.
Learn about China and how to incorporate Chinese Studies into the undergraduate curriculum and co-curriculum.
This multidisciplinary program is designed to engage faculty and staff with little or no prior training, nor professional experience in China and Chinese studies, who can impact undergraduate education, either through teaching or academic support services that affect undergraduate studies. It provides faculty with expertise and support, to assist them in developing courses and initiatives that will enable students to gain a better understanding of China.
Who should participate?
- Faculty
- Staff/Administrators
How will you benefit?
- Peer-to-peer learning with participating colleagues
- Access to curated resources, including special Chinese studies content
- Develop strategies for incorporating Chinese studies into curriculum, notwithstanding academic discipline
- Mentorship and support through developing curriculum and campus initiatives
- Networking and access to CSI alumni, Chinese scholars, industry experts, and diplomats
impact
5
Number of years AASCU has provided this professional development opportunity for its members.
37
Number of Institutions that have participated in the Institute from across the U.S.
51
Number of faculty and administrators that have been trained by the Institute.
program highlights
Connect with Chinese faculty and administrators and immerse yourself in Chinese culture.
The Institute is hosted in China, and involves three weeks of intensive seminars, lectures, meetings and cultural activities related to various aspects of pre-modern and modern Chinese history, education, business and culture. Institute faculty includes scholars, business leaders, and education administrators from institutions and organizations in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, as well as representatives from local Chinese communities, and government officials.
our stories
“My experience in the 2015 China Studies Institute was life changing. It was my first visit to China, and the three weeks in Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing were truly fantastic. I really appreciated the combination of classes and visits to places of cultural significance. For me, it was the culmination of a year (2014-15) when I basically discovered Chinese students–and China itself–and it added immeasurably to my knowledge and understanding of the huge, ancient, and fascinating country.”
“Since being a part of the China Studies Institute, I have incorporated in my courses, a discussion and comparison of academia in the United States and China. This helps my students gain insight into the value of this opportunity. I have also strongly encouraged my students to study abroad via NSU International Programs. In addition to this, I have applied to teach in China in the upcoming Fall semester. None of these things would be on my radar if I hadn’t participated in CSI.
“My trip to China with the CSI was extremely formative and has motivated me and given me the confidence to work much more closely with colleagues in China to establish student and faculty exchanges. The most recent example was our university hosting Dr. Zhi Pei and other colleagues from Zhejiang University of Technology. We are moving forward with an exchange agreement between their institution and our whole engineering college.”
Application information
Applicants must:
- be staff able to impact undergraduate education (either through teaching or academic support services that affect undergraduate studies).
- have no prior training or professional experience in Chinese studies.
- be able to demonstrate an interest in gaining a better understanding of China.
- be nominated by a president, chancellor, or provost, either directly or at the request of the applicant.
Applications usually open around late October and are due by mid-December. All required documents must be submitted by the deadline:
- Completed application form
- CV or resume
- Nomination Form
- One-page recommendation letter from a provost, vice president, dean, or department chair who is familiar with the applicant’s academic achievements and potential career path.
- A typed, single-spaced, one-page Statement of Intent outlining the potential benefits of the award to the applicant’s teaching and professional growth, and to the institution and community. This statement should address the applicant’s:
- interest in broadening their knowledge of China
- plans to impact undergraduate education at the institution
- plans to use the experience to effect curricular change
- plans to contribute to the Institute
- AASCU member institutions – $895
- Participants in the program are responsible for ancillary expenses related to travel to and from the program site, and all other personal and miscellaneous expenses such as passport fees, visa fees, roundtrip airfare and travel insurance.
Our Partner
Interested in participating in this program? Let us know.
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AASCU China Partnerships and Education Expo
The AASCU China Partnerships and Education Expo is designed to support AASCU’s senior leaders in a bid to internationalize their campuses, by inviting them to participate in in a series of activities designed to create and sustain educational partnerships in China.
Learn more.
Develop and sustain educational partnerships in China.
For the past 18 years, AASCU has supported member institutions in a bid to internationalize their campuses, by taking senior leaders to China to participate in a series of activities designed to create and sustain educational partnerships with Chinese institutions.
This initiative represents an extraordinary opportunity to be introduced to or deepen understanding of partnerships in China.
Who should participate?
- Presidents
- Provosts
- Senior International Officers
- College Deans and Department Chairs
- International Enrollment/Recruiting Personnel
How will you benefit?
- Opportunities to promote your institution to over 50,000 students and their parents seeking global education opportunities.
- Familiarization with China and Chinese higher education system, policies and issues.
- Engage with educational leaders from across the globe on topics of mutual interest.
- Connect with partners or potential partners for further discussion on educational cooperation.
- Participate in forums and seminars and other activities designed to create and sustain educational partnerships in China.
Expand your institution’s presence in the world’s largest recruitment market.
This initiative in China, includes access to, and participation in the China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education (CACIE), hosted by AASCU’s longtime Chinese partner association, the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE). Participants are encouraged to take advantage of the EXPO that attracts over 50,000 Chinese students interested in education abroad.
Programs and Activities
Education B2B offers a global networking platform for all individuals participating in the China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education (CACIE). AASCU assists its members in registering and preparing for B2B sessions, as they are quite popular with individuals who are eager to develop partnerships, explore potential cooperation, and build pragmatic collaborations.
The China Education Expo features over 600 booths, representing institutions from countries around the world. AASCU offers a complementary booth shared by all member institutions participating in the conference. We encourage members to distribute materials and use this opportunity to meet with Chinese students interested in studying in the United States. The booth is primarily used to raise the awareness of Chinese students about AASCU institutions.
Impact
18
Number of years AASCU has provided this opportunity for its members.
200
Number of institutions that have participated in this initiative.
340
Number of institutional leaders that have participated in this initiative.
The 2023 AASCU China Partnerships and Education Expo China trip will be hosted in Beijing, China, Oct. 22-29.
Need more information on the Expo? Let us know.
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Study in China Scholarships
Work with AASCU’s staff to secure a scholarship award for short-term or long-term study in China.
Apply today.
Scholarships promote student mobility, mutual understanding, cooperation and exchanges.
The AASCU-designated Chinese Government Scholarship is a scholarship program offered by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and administered by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). The program provides support to students enrolled at AASCU member institutions, as they prepare to study abroad in China. The scholarship is designed to sponsor students interested in short-term or long-term study, at over 250+ designated Chinese universities.
Who should apply?
- U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents in the United States
- Full time/part-time students enrolled in AASCU institutions
- Students pursuing any major, with the ability to demonstrate a strong interest in Chinese language and culture
- Students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or above
How will you benefit?
- Flexible programs: semester-long or year-long options available
- Over 250 eligible Chinese universities to choose from
- Tuition waiver, accommodation, monthly stipend, travel/conference allowance fees and medical insurance
- Experience Chinese language, culture and academic discipline/area of expertise through immersion
- Explore and expand options for potential career pathways internationally
Impact
15
AASCU designated scholarships available annually.
10
Number of years AASCU has partnered with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to select students specifically from AASCU institutions.
61
Students who have received AASCU designated scholarships.
Applying for the Scholarship
The scholarship allows students to study the Chinese language and/or other available academic subjects taught in English for either one semester or one academic year. Applications are accepted through January 31 each year. Applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee organized by the Chinese Embassy and recommended to CSC for approval.
The scholarship amount, which is valued at approximately 10, 000 USD, offered by China Scholarship Council (CSC), is disbursed to the Chinese universities, not to the individual student. Applicants awarded this Chinese government scholarship, are not allowed to simultaneously receive other scholarships provided by Chinese universities or Chinese local governments.
Candidates are encouraged to apply to the AASCU recommended Chinese partner universities listed below in the Resource Section.
More detailed information about the scholarship can be found on the China Scholarship Council’s website.
Applications are open until January 31.Applicant must be:
- a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States and be in good health.
- full time/part-time students enrolled in an AASCU institution.
- a bachelor’s degree holder under the age of 35 if applying for master’s programs.
- a master’s degree holder under the age of 40 if applying for doctoral programs.
- a master’s degree holder or an associate professor (or above) under the age of 50 if applying for senior scholar programs.
The scholarship covers the following expenses for each participating student:
- Tuition at the Chinese institution
- On-campus accommodation
- Health insurance
- Monthly stipend
- Undergraduate – CNY 2500/mth
- Masters – CNY 3000/mth
- Doctoral – CNY 3500/mth
The scholarship does NOT cover:
- Tuition at the American institution
- International airfare
- China visa application fees
- Submit your application online through China Scholarship Council by January 31.
- Download a completed copy of your application and email together with the following documents to Sufei Li, director of China and Asia Programs, at the same time.
- passport page
- academic transcripts
- personal statement outlining the applicant’s study objectives
- two recommendation letters (from academic advisors or senior administrators)
- Complete and submit completed CSC online application with supporting documentation no later than January 31.
- Applicants also email a copy of completed CSC application and supporting documents to AASCU at the same time.
- AASCU will recommend qualified students to the Chinese Embassy in April.
- The Embassy of China will send out the award notification and congratulation letters to the applicants in May.
- Candidates will receive the final admission letters from CSC and Chinese universities by July 31.
- Scholarship finalists apply for the Chinese visa in August.
- Students depart for China in Late Aug/Early Sept.
AASCU recommended Chinese institutions
- 东北农业大学 Northeast Agriculture University
- 贵州大学 Guizhou University
- 海南大学Hainan University
- 华侨大学 Huaqiao University
- 江苏大学 Jiangsu University
- 南京师范大学 Nanjing Normal University
- 南京艺术学院Nanjing University of the Arts
- 南通大学 Nantong University
- 陕西师范大学Shaanxi Normal University
- 苏州大学 Soochow University
- 西安石油大学 Xi’an Shiyou University
- 扬州大学Yangzhou University
- 长安大学 Chang’an University
- 重庆师范大学 Chongqing Normal University
For more questions throughout the Application procedures, please contact Sufei Li.
Questions about study in China scholarships? Let us know.
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China-U.S. Rising Star Student Study Tour
The China-U.S. Rising Star Student Study Tour is a study abroad opportunity for students interested in Chinese language and culture, strengthening their global competencies, and improving their professional capacity, by exploring options for potential international academic and career pathways.
Learn more.
Study abroad in a safe, collaborative and immersive environment.
The China-U.S. Rising Star Student Study Tour program is created for students who are particularly interested in a guided, short-term study abroad option. The program is specifically designed to support students in their aim to strengthen cross-cultural communication skills, improve various aspects of their professional capacity, while exploring and expanding options for potential academic and career pathways in China. The program activities are designed to facilitate an immersive cultural experience, foster experiential learning, and encourage dialogue and cooperative learning between Chinese and American students.
Who Should Apply?
- U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, enrolled in a program of study at an AASCU institution
- Students who have completed at least one semester of post-secondary education.
- Students pursuing any major, with the ability to demonstrate a strong interest in Chinese language and culture.
- Students in good academic standing.
- Students willing to promote their education exchange experience between China and the U.S.
How will you benefit?
- Immersive Cultural Experiences– To help students understand the social and economic conditions of modern China, the study tour includes activities such as lectures, workshops, collaborative learning activities, and visits to prime industry and cultural locations to provide them with a multi-dimensional experience in China.
- Experiential Learning – Project based learning and training in different labs are also important components of the study tour. Students from the US and China with similar academic backgrounds, develop and improve their professional knowledge and skills together through lessons taught by participating faculty members, industry visits and cooperative learning.
- Student Dialogue – Aiming to build long-term friendships and enhance mutual understanding between the participants, workshops, seminars and team-building activities are included in the study tour to facilitate interaction and communication among students.
Network and engage with Chinese higher education leaders, faculty and peers over two weeks across different cities in China.
The study tour is a flagship student exchange program under the framework of the China-U.S. High-level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) in the sector of vocational education. AASCU’s International Education Office, as co-sponsor of this initiative, along with the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) selects students from its member universities to experience two weeks of intensive training in a thematic area, and study across several Chinese cities and host Chinese vocational institutions. Past programs have engaged students in the specific areas of robotics, business and entrepreneurship, aviation, architecture, and e-commerce.
impact
3
Number of years AASCU has offered this opportunity to students at its member institutions.
58
Number of students participating in a study abroad experience for the first time,
26
AASCU institutions engaged.
Program Deatails
- Program Duration: 2 weeks
- Program Dates: Program is usually scheduled during the first two weeks of January
- Location: Locations in China varies with each program cycle. Participants can however expect to visit major cultural sites, several relevant industry sites, and program host institutions.
- Participants: Selected participants are responsible for their international travel costs, including round-trip airfare, visa application fee and travel insurance.
- Program: Meals, accommodations and domestic transportation in China will be covered by the program.
- Application deadline is usually at the beginning of November.
- AASCU makes final selections and notify final candidates by mid-November
- Final candidates upon being notified will send a letter of their acceptance to AASCU by the end of November.
- AASCU will provide relevant reading materials and travel information in early December
- Rising Stars must submit all required documentation, including doctor’s recommendation, proof of travel insurance and Chinese visa by mid-December.
- Student participants depart for China in early January.
Testimonials
“Rising Star gave me an intimate view of the breadth and depth of Chinese history and modern China. I will tell my network back home to apply for the China-US Rising Star study tour, and programs like it, and to support any students that do. Before this program, I had a surface intellectual understanding of the significance of China. Now, I am friends with Chinese students, and feel a kind of friendship with China itself.”
“The Rising Star Program has assisted in propelling my interest of the Chinese culture even further. Spending two weeks learning and experiencing complete cultural immersion in China has been a great way to manifest my desire to continue learning about this beautiful country. I initially applied to the Rising Stars program with the hope and ambition to learn more about the culture of the most influential country in East Asia. I can happily say this program exceeded my expectations of these aspirations.”
Our Partner
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Campus Consultations
AASCU offers member universities the opportunity to collaborate with our International Education team, to assess their level of internationalization, through thorough reviews of programs, policies and assist in envisioning next developmental steps.
Learn more.
AASCU’s International Education team connects with campus colleagues to address the strategic vision for institutional internationalization.
Campus consultations provide quality professional evaluation of member campuses’ comprehensive internationalization processes. Each visit consists of a multi-day assessment of the member institution’s current internationalization strategy and specific programs. During the visit, the IE team meets with campus senior leadership and stakeholders to observe, review and recommend strategies to advance the institution’s global programming.
Who should participate?
- Presidents
- Provosts
- Senior International Officers
- Faculty
- Staff/Administrators
How will you benefit?
- Comprehensive Evaluation: AASCU’s International Education team conducts thorough reviews of member universities’ programs and policies, providing a comprehensive assessment of their level of internationalization. This evaluation helps institutions gain valuable insights into their current internationalization efforts.
- Collaboration: AASCU collaborates with member universities to envision the next developmental steps in their internationalization journey. By leveraging the expertise of the International Education team, institutions can strategically plan and set goals for advancing their global programming.
- Stakeholder Engagement: During the assessment visit, the team engages with campus senior leadership and stakeholders. This interaction allows for a deeper understanding of the institution’s global programming and provides an opportunity to observe, review, and recommend strategies for advancement. Engaging stakeholders ensures a holistic approach to internationalization efforts.
- Enhanced Global Programming: By partnering with AASCU’s International Education team, member universities can enhance their global programming. The team’s expertise and recommendations assist institutions in developing effective strategies, policies, and programs to create a more globally engaged campus community.
- Networking and Resource Opportunities: Through the collaboration with AASCU, member universities gain access to a network of like-minded institutions committed to internationalization. This network can facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the exchange of best practices, further strengthening each institution’s global engagement.
Testimonials
“UMES recently collaborated with AASCU to conduct a review of our ongoing efforts to internationalize our campus. They did a great job engaging our campus community during the onsite visit and prepared a very thorough report. We found their recommendations regarding curricular and co-curricular activities, recruitment initiatives, and study abroad to be very helpful. These suggestions will be included in our strategic plan.”
Interested in a campus consultation? Let us know.
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