Coastal Carolina University President David DeCenzo was one of six U.S. and Chinese university presidents who participated in a panel discussion on the topic "Increasing Student Mobility for the Future, the World and our Youth," as a part of the Sino-American University Presidents' Forum held on the campus of Jinan University today. DeCenzo's presentation, focusing on best practices to raise student mobility in study abroad programs, was a part of the 10th Annual Graduation Ceremony and Annual Meeting of the Sino-American Cooperation in Higher Education and Professional Development (CHEPD) 1+2+1 Double Degree Program. DeCenzo delivered a keynote address at the 2011 annual meeting in Chengdu, China.

At the graduation ceremony, DeCenzo awarded CCU degrees to two students of the 255 who were recognized during the program held on the campus of Jinan University in Guangzhou, China. Both students, Mincong Chen of Guangzhou, China, who majored in economics, and Tingran Shen of Suzhou, China, who majored in resort tourism management, were recognized as cum laude graduates of CCU. Chen and Shen were also recognized as Excellent Graduates from the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program, for which each also received a monetary prize.

"These students work hard," said Darla Domke-Damonte, executive director of global initiatives at CCU. "They help all their American classmates learn about the Chinese culture and bring new perspectives to our classrooms while working through being separated from their families, friends and familiar customs." Domke-Damonte oversees the program at Coastal Carolina University and has taught several of the students in the program.

The CHEPD Program is organized by the joint effort of CCIEE (the China Council for International Educational Exchange) and AASCU (the American Association of State Colleges and Universities). Currently, 15 U.S. universities and more than 90 Chinese universities participate in the program. Since the program's inception 13 years ago, the 1+2+1 program has brought more than 1,000 Chinese students to complete coursework at U.S. universities. CCU joined the program in 2007 and received its first student in the program in 2008. At present, CCU has nine students in the program on campus and will be receiving two more for the Fall 2013 semester.

For more information, contact Domke-Damonte at 843-249-2129 or by email at ddamonte@coastal.edu.