On Aug. 25, Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) welcomed a four-member delegation from the partner school Zhejiang International Studies University (ZISU) based in Hangzhou, China.
Led by Professor Li Min, dean of art at ZISU, the delegation enjoyed a welcome ceremony at 10 a.m. in Billingsly Student Center that reflected the shared commitment to global engagement and academic collaboration between MSSU and ZISU. Students and faculty who visited ZISU this past summer as a part of a study abroad program were eager to reconnect during lunch in the Ron Richard Athletic Center where MSSU Board of Governors, administrators, and community members welcomed the group to campus.
The delegation traveled over 11,000 kilometers, or 7,000 miles, to celebrate the educational partnership between the two universities, which was established in July 2023. In Nov. 2024, ZISU hosted 14 MSSU students and two faculty members in for an Experience China program focusing on teacher education and business. This July, six students and two faculty visited Hangzhou, one of the ancient cities of China, for a program study examining culture and art.
“MSSU and ZISU are excellent partners because of the strengths and priorities that we share,” said Dr. Dean Van Galen, president of MSSU. “Both universities are committed to international education as a way to enrich the education and perspectives of our students.”
Dr. Rebecca Shriver, executive director of international education at MSSU, describes welcoming colleagues from ZISU to campus as a celebration of a shared commitment to global learning.
“From the moment the delegation arrived, there was a palpable sense of excitement and curiosity,” she said. “This collaboration is a cornerstone of our international education efforts. It’s not just about sending students abroad, it’s about building bridges that allow us to learn from each other, challenge assumptions, and grow together. Both of our universities are committed to opening doors for the others' faculty and students in ways that wouldn't be possible otherwise.”
In addition to a group photo, gifts between the universities were exchanged to show their mutual appreciation of this partnership: Department Chair of Art and Design Frank Pishkur crafted a porcelain teacup featuring a celadon glaze, a type of glaze that originated in China approximately 2,000 years ago. One of the art professors from ZISU gave the university a calligraphy scroll. The writing system is also an artform—every detail creates the equivalent of a visual poem.
“Calligraphy is the official record of the occasion, one so meaningful that a person spent the time and effort to create this physical memento to capture the spirit and prove the importance of the event.” said Pishkur. “Neither of these gifts were just ordered off the internet but represent personal investment by both universities. Each were personally crafted by professors in their art departments, representing the importance of the human touch and individual personal effort for establishing and deepening connections, even in this ostensibly very digital-based world.”
The partnership with ZISU directly supports MSSU's expanded statewide mission of global education and the recent addition of immersive learning.
"Our teacher education students gain firsthand insight into pedagogical practices in China, spending significant time in Chinese classrooms, while also sharing how the US education system works,” said Shriver. “Our art students and faculty, working alongside their ZISU counterparts, have been able to inspire and create beautiful pieces together in the studio. These exchanges are not just academic—they provide practical skills and, on a deeper level, are transformational. ZISU’s visit reminds us that international education isn’t just about travel—it’s about connection and a living example of what international education can achieve.”
