For the first time since he helped to found the program in 2008, Chris Van Velzer will not direct the Shanghai program for the spring semester, instead passing the baton to his wife and interim director Corrie Van Velzer.
IP administrators have narrowed the selection process for a permanent director down to about three candidates, and a decision is expected to be made in April, said Director of Admissions and Student Affairs Jeff Hamilton.
“All of them are very intriguing in different capacities,” Hamilton said. “Two of them are directly associated with the university. We do have one individual who works here currently that we’re all very familiar with, another who is an alumnus of the university and another who is at a renowned institution.”
Chris Van Velzer reportedly accepted a position at the Center for International Education and Exchange, which is a “world-renowned institution for international study abroad and exchanges.” Hamilton praised Van Velzer’s decision, saying it was a “step up.” The position requires unique qualifications, Hamilton said. One of the most important traits is knowledge of the region and the ability to work with students and staff as a leader.
“Of course the ability to speak the language is highly valued, just because it makes you more relatable to individuals in that host culture,” Hamilton said. “We do have an excellent program staff that’s already there — our associate director, William, and our program assistant, Gigi, who have been with the program since the beginning. They, as well, are Chinese nationals, and they are really well connected.”
A director should interact directly with students, inspiring them to experience the native culture, sophomore Mitch Bennett said.
“We want to see a director who is invested in the students,” Bennett said. “The new director should be focused on making sure that the sophomores who chose to study in Shanghai have the best time of their lives. Ideally we would like to see a director who is fluent in Mandarin and English, has connections in China, knows the city of Shanghai well, understands the Pepperdine culture and works to grow and expand the program. Most of all everyone just wants a director who will be personable and present in the lives of students.”
Bennett said the transition has been difficult for students who knew Chris Van Velzer in previous semesters.
“The change has been rough for those of us who are going through it right now,” Bennett said. “The interim director, Corrie Van Velzer, has been key in assisting the change, though. Pepperdine students see the change as inevitable and unfortunate but are all keeping high spirits. It seems that everyone is excited to see what will happen next.”
Hamilton said exposure is a very desirable trait for a Shanghai director.
“From my perspective, another thing that makes a director a strong one is a breadth of experience,” Hamilton said. “Not necessarily time, but someone who has seen different places, been different places, has lived in different places. Someone who has formed their own opinions of the world based on their exposure to it. If someone has spent time in China (specifically Shanghai) and knows that culture better, that’s something that’s going to come across as a strong candidate as well.
Of the program itself Hamilton said it’s been a smooth operation. “It’s been running successfully; the enrollment has been increasing steadily since its inception,” Hamilton said. “More and more students are going in the summer.”
Student opinions are an integral part of the decision-making process, Hamilton said.
“That’s the exciting part about it: We truly do value the thoughts and opinions and feedback of everyone. We’re not trying to make decisions from the ivory tower — we’re trying to get down and see how this person relates with everybody at the university, someone who really resonates with the students. Our goal is that we choose an individual who resonates the greatest.”
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Follow Nate Barton on Twitter: @TheNateBarton
