MARCH 28, 2015 LUNCHEON

Bingbing Zhang presented a slideshow of her hometown in China and the Sias International University which is the first solely American-owned University in Central China. Affiliated with Zhengzhou University, as well as Fort Hays State University of Kansas, it was developed and designed in response to the most current educational demands. It is the first full-time undergraduate university approved by the Degree Committee of the State Council in China to grant both Chinese and American Bachelor's Degrees. Sias is also fully accredited by the China Ministry of Education.

Combining Chinese and Western educational philosophies, Sias aims to develop sophisticated and specialized talents that can make contributions to the modernization and economic development of China. To achieve this aim, through a modern, beautiful environment, a visionary curriculum and diverse campus activities, it broadens the views of its students and encourages creativity and independent thought among both students and faculty. The participation of foreign faculty members, and the use of English-language teaching materials also enhance bilingual communication skills, and encourage all Sias students to explore global strategies to solve problems and develop innovative thinking.

She described her work and her environmental studies. She leaves West Palm Beach on Monday May 5th. She has completed her masters in environmental studies and has been accepted by University of Central FL in Orlando to study for her Doctorate Degree in Environmental Education starting in the Fall. She is also thinking of teaching Chinese children in the USA English because she says that in many families of first generation parents, only Mandarin is spoken at home and the Children are at a disadvantage in school.