A delegation of top administrators from 11 Chinese universities visited Coastal Carolina University last week to discuss expanding study abroad programs to China, increasing the number of Chinese students at Coastal Carolina University, and broadening cooperation between CCU and top universities in China. The delegation comes as a part of CCU's participation in programs jointly operated through the American Association of State College and Universities (AASCU) and the China Council for International Educational Exchange (CCIEE).

The delegation was led by Feng Xu of Shaanxi Normal University and Hongmo Sun, the new director of the Chinese Center for International Education, who is responsible for the China Higher Education Professional Development (CHEPD) Program. CCU has participated in the CHEPD program since 2007 and currently has 10 students on campus completing double degree programs with eight Chinese universities. In addition, Coastal professors have visited China to teach and deliver seminars as a part of the program, and CCU President David DeCenzo has been an invited speaker to the annual President's Forum twice in the last three years.

"We'd like to see more of your talented students be a part of our quality educational programs at Coastal Carolina University," said CCU President David DeCenzo in his opening welcome to the group.

The visit consisted of panel discussions with CCU professors Easton Selby, Jeff Case, Jay Teets and Ken Small who have all participated in or led study abroad programs to China. Panel discussions with President DeCenzo, Interim Provost Ralph Byington, Executive Director of Global Initiatives Darla Domke-Damonte and Geoffrey Parsons and Melissa Paschuck of the Office of International Programs and Services highlighted future areas for cooperation and student support commitments to international students, as well as development and support of faculty teaching abroad in China.

Domke-Damonte said, "There is tremendous potential to develop programs that will give students and faculty from different parts of the world a truly global perspective. By seeking out initiatives that help both CCU and our partner universities achieve their potential, we can create sustainable, value-added programs that raise the standards at both institutions."