Global Engagement, Enduring Commitment: Reflections from Greater China

Earlier this fall, I traveled to Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing on behalf of Yale SOM to connect with prospective MBA students, alumni, and advisors across Greater China. After nearly two decades leading Yale SOM’s MBA admissions office, I have made many international recruiting trips, but this one felt especially meaningful, both for the conversations it sparked and for what it reaffirmed about SOM’s long-standing relationship with China.

At SOM, we believe management education is inherently global. Preparing leaders for business and society requires serious engagement with different economic systems, cultures, and perspectives. China has long been central to that work, and our commitment to engaging with Chinese students and partners remains strong, even amid today’s political and economic uncertainty.

During the trip, I hosted MBA admissions events and smaller gatherings in all three cities. At each stop, I was struck by the thoughtfulness and depth of prospective students’ questions about leading with purpose, navigating complexity, and how an SOM education prepares graduates to make an impact across sectors and geographies. These conversations reflected the qualities we consistently see in our strongest applicants from China: intellectual curiosity, global awareness, and the desire to play positive roles in their communities.

Chinese students are an essential part of the SOM community. In classrooms and team-based projects, they bring perspectives shaped by experience in one of the world’s most dynamic and influential economies. Their presence enriches discussion, challenges assumptions, and strengthens learning for everyone. Having now worked closely with several generations of MBA students, I can say with confidence that SOM is a more globally grounded and intellectually vibrant institution because of their presence.

A particular highlight of the trip was meeting with members of SOM’s Greater China Board of Advisors in Hong Kong. These alumni leaders provide invaluable guidance and serve as important bridges between the school and the region. Our conversation reinforced a shared belief in the importance of sustained engagement and in SOM’s role as a convening platform for dialogue, learning, and leadership across borders.

In Beijing, I was delighted to host our admissions event at the Yale Center Beijing, a hub for Yale’s engagement in China. Gathering prospective students there underscored the depth and longevity of Yale’s presence in the country and the broader context in which SOM operates as part of a university deeply committed to international exchange and mutual understanding. I am always struck by the long history of ties between Yale and China, beginning when Yung Wing, the first Chinese graduate of an American university, earned his degree from Yale in 1854.

The trip also offered opportunities to reconnect with China’s cultural and historical richness. Walking along the Great Wall and through the Forbidden City in Beijing, and spending time at the Bund, the Yu Garden, and the People’s Park in Shanghai, I was reminded of the deep history that shapes contemporary China. I am by no means a foodie, but I do enjoy exploring cuisines and connecting with cultures through food; so sitting down at Godly and Yang’s Dumplings in Shanghai and King’s Joy and Punk Rock Noodles in Beijing was a particular treat. (Thank you to Jenny, Stella, and others for the many excellent restaurant recommendations!)

There is no question that the current global environment presents challenges for international education. At each admissions event, prospective students raised thoughtful and practical questions: How does SOM prepare graduates to lead across borders? How does the school support international students amid uncertainty around visas, OPT, and global mobility? And how does a Yale degree continue to add value long after graduation?

These are exactly the right questions. Yale takes them seriously, and so do we at SOM. The university provides robust, ongoing support for international students, from dedicated immigration advising and career services to employer engagement and global alumni networks. While policies and regulations may change, Yale’s commitment to its students does not. A Yale education is not tied to a single market or moment; it is designed to travel with you across borders and across a lifetime.

After over 20 years in MBA admissions, I continue to be energized by meeting prospective students around the world who are drawn to Yale SOM’s values and vision. This trip reinforced my confidence that our relationship with China is enduring, meaningful, and essential to who we are—and to the leaders we aim to educate for business and society.