The COVID-19 pandemic has posed major challenges to higher education institutions all over the world. Panic and concerns from students and parents, together with the changing information and policies around an evolving outbreak, has made universities pivot in multiple directions in response. More than 1.5 billion students and youth across the globe are affected by school and university closures. Catastrophic shortfalls in university revenue is causing job cuts and disruptions to learning, research and other campus activities. 

In particular, for global universities that celebrate and rely on diversity, international mobility and cross-border exchange, there are extra layers of the COVID-19 impact. Confronted with the harsh realities of travel restrictions and border control, the foreign and study-abroad student populations have experienced a series of non-voluntary movements and emotional turmoil. 

How are universities in China and the U.S. responding to the unprecedented challenges? In dealing with the crisis, how are student affairs professionals “crossing the river by feeling the stones”? In early April, we spoke with three higher ed insiders, and this issue presents the highlights from our conversations. 

David Pe

Dean of Students at NYU Shanghai. He has a BA in Chinese Literature from UCLA, Masters in Higher Education Administration from NYU, and Doctorate in organizational change and leadership from USC. 

Judy Li

Assistant Dean of Students at NYU Shanghai. She has a bachelor degree in Law and Master’s degree in Politics. Before joining NYU Shanghai, Judy worked at East China Normal University as a student life advisor. 

Ariel Tan

Area coordinator and independent researcher at California State University, Long Beach. As a residential life staff, her main role includes supervising paraprofessionals, managing residential halls, responding to crisis, and implementing residential curriculum for students. As a researcher, she is interested in studying the relationship between biculturalism, social media, and education.

Audio: Maggie

Editor: Joyce, Maggie

Playlist

Don’t Look Back in Anger  -- Oasis

Counting Stars -- Augustana

Ohio -- Hyukoh

On + Off -- Maggie Rogers

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.