George Washington President Steven Knapp has been named the inaugural chair of the 100,000 Strong Academic Advisory Council, which will advise the 100,000 Strong Foundation on issues related to U.S.-China educational engagement.
The foundation is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the number of U.S. students studying in China and learning Mandarin.
The Academic Advisory Council, which Dr. Knapp chairs, is made up of more than a dozen current and former leaders from a diverse group of educational institutions, including two- and four-year colleges and universities and academic organizations. Members include presidents of New York University, Xavier University, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the American Councils for International Education.
Dr. Knapp, who also serves on the Council of the Confucius Institute Headquarters, said that GW “has long been committed to deepening educational ties between the United States and China.”
“I am honored to help guide the growth of the 100,000 Strong Foundation, the premier people-to-people platform between our two countries,” Dr. Knapp said.
Carola McGiffert, CEO of 100,000 Strong, said, “We are honored to have such a prominent group of educators join us in our ongoing efforts to reach more—and more diverse—students who are interested in learning more about China.
“We must build a generation of leaders who value the U.S.-China relationship and have the skills to steer it on a steady path,” Ms. McGiffert said.