By Dr. William F. Smith & Ann DeMarle

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we share the proceedings of the recent launch of our newest Master’s degree and international program! On Thursday, October 24th, 2013 at 7pm, Champlain College officially opened its Master of Science in Emergent Media program in Shanghai, China. The opening ceremony was jointly hosted by Provost Robin Abramson, Associate Dean Ann DeMarle, and Ms. Ying Zhao, Vice President of Education Promotion (North American High Tech Center, NAHTC). The event took place at an upscale mixed-use community known as Kerry Parkside.

First class meeting – MS in Emergent Media, Shanghai, China.

The evening activities included an opening announcement by Ms. Ying Zhao of NAHTC followed by welcome speeches from Dr. Abramson and Professor DeMarle. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was signed by Mr. Frank Xiao Long Liu Chairman/CEO of Jiu You Capital Co. Ltd, Mr. Yong Zhang, Chairman of NAHTC, and Professor Dr. Robin Abramson, Provost of Champlain College.  The signing was witnessed by Professor Dr. James Cross, Associate Provost of International Education for Champlain College. The ceremony concluded with a visionary speech by Mr. Frank Liu after which he extended an invitation to the graduate students, partners, and participants for a group photo.

Shanghai MS partnership at signing ceremony: Yong Zhang (Chairman NAHTC), Frank Liu (CEO/Chairman Jiu You Capital), Provost Robin Abramson, and Associate Provost of International Education Jim Cross.

MS in Emergent Media Shanghai students, Champlain faculty, and partners.

The MS in Emergent Media program in Shanghai will operate classes during the fall 2013 and spring 2014 semesters at the Shanghai campus, followed by one semester in Burlington during the summer semester 2014.  The first graduate student cohort is a dynamic group of young adults working in diverse fields like IT, marketing, journalism, project management and traditional Chinese Art. In addition, the Shanghai students will collaborate during the 2014 spring semester via teleconference with the home campus MFA students.

The first class of the semester was conducted by Associate Professor, Dr. Geoff Bell. Students took part in a team building game to break the ice, followed by learning strategies of self-discovery. Students were already bonding during class and much as their MFA contemporaries in BTV created a Facebook group, the MS students created a group-sharing page on WeChat—a very popular social media application in China. During their commute home many students used the WeChat group page to share their first insights and expressed their excitement about the upcoming semester. Overall, a very successful opening for the new program in Shanghai.

New MS in Emergent Media student Jin Liu with Associate Dean Ann DeMarle and Provost Robin Abramson

In closing, it is an honor to be part of this contemporary and forward-looking program that will reinforce the inspiring mission and vision of Champlain College. In addition, this opportunity will help build and bridge long lasting and positive relationships between the USA and China. This is truly a proud moment for everyone involved including the people behind the scenes who dedicated their support and energy in making the MS in Emergent Media program a viable project.

For more information about the MS in Emergent Media program, please visit http://champlain.edu/msem.

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Dr. William F. Smith is Academic Program Director for the Champlain College MS in Emergent Media program in Shanghai, China. Smith received his PhD in Media & Communications from the European Graduate School in 2011 and has extensive experience in multicultural teaching at universities throughout Asia. He also has a background in academic research and professional media communications work.

Ann DeMarle is Associate Dean, Emergent Media at Champlain College, based in Burlington, VT. In 2010 she founded the MFA in Emergent Media and in 2013, the MS in Emergent Media. Previously she created and directed Champlain’s cohort Game baccalaureates and the Multimedia and Graphic Design degree. In 2006, she created the Emergent Media Center, dedicated to student technology innovation.  (full bio)