Coastal Carolina University is one of five American universities selected to participate in a unique partnership with 14 Chinese institutions called the SINO-American 1+2+1 Hospitality Management Dual Degree Program.

The program represents Coastal's first academic partnership with institutions of higher education in China.

"Coastal's invitation to join this important partnership is a recognition of the quality and the stature of our international resort tourism program," said CCU President David A. DeCenzo. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) recommended Coastal for this program.

"The agreement and further articulation of this program will unite Coastal and Chinese students and faculty and contribute to greater understanding between our nations," said Darla Domke-Damonte, associate professor of management and international programs liaison in the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration.

Domke-Damonte and Taylor Damonte, associate professor of management and director of Coastal's resort tourism management program, will travel with the American contingent to Nanjing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, China, in late June and early July to further articulate the agreement. The first Coastal and Chinese students are expected to enter the program in 2009.

With Coastal, U.S. universities participating in the hospitality program include: Northern Arizona University, University of Central Florida, Fort Hays State University and Troy University. Fourteen Chinese universities are participating in the dual degree program. Coastal will meet with all 14 universities and has been invited for special discussions at Shanghai Normal University and Guangdong University of Business in Guangzhou.