Cornell Leaders Celebrate 20 Years of Levinson Program in China
Leaders from Cornell University’s College of Arts & Sciences recently visited China to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the **Brittany and Adam J. Levinson Program** in China and Asia-Pacific Studies. This significant milestone was marked by participation in the **Cornell-China Forum** held in Shanghai, where they engaged with delegates from various sectors.
During the trip, the leaders were joined by eight students from the Levinson Program who are currently studying abroad at **Peking University**. The program focuses on an intensive language curriculum paired with courses on contemporary China, enhancing students’ understanding of the region.
Patrizia McBride, senior associate dean in the College of Arts & Sciences and the **Frank H.T. Rhodes Professor of Humane Letters** in the Department of German Studies, expressed her pride in the program’s resilience. “The Levinson Program is a core component of our international engagement with China and the Asia Pacific, and we’re proud it has weathered the uncertainties and challenges of COVID,” she stated. McBride added that student interest in the program has exceeded expectations, highlighting a renewed enthusiasm for studies in this critical area.
Engagement Activities and Discussions
The visit included a variety of activities aimed at fostering connections and sharing insights about China and Asia-Pacific studies. A roundtable discussion featured **Levinson Program** students and alumni, alongside **Adam Levinson** ’92, who has provided substantial support for the initiative.
During the **2025 Cornell-China Forum**, **Peter John Loewen**, the **Harold Tanner Dean of Arts & Sciences**, delivered a speech celebrating the program’s achievements over the past two decades. The event also featured a panel discussion titled “Building Bridges: The Past and Future of China and Asia-Pacific Studies at Cornell,” which further explored the impact and future of the program.
Additionally, the Levinson Program collaborated with the **Yenching Academy** at Peking University to organize a “Study China in China” conference. This gathering attracted nearly 20 other China-based China studies programs, emphasizing the collaborative nature of academic pursuits in the region.
The celebration of the Levinson Program’s 20th anniversary underscores its importance in enhancing cross-cultural understanding and academic collaboration between Cornell University and institutions in Asia. As global dynamics continue to evolve, programs like Levinson play a pivotal role in shaping the future of international education and engagement.
