From Shanghai to Rochester and beyond: A journey of learning, leadership, and lifelong impact

Meet Chair of the China Alumni Network Hanqi Jiang ’15

Share a bit about yourself! What are you up to now?

Greetings from China! I am Hanqi Jiang, a member of the Class of 2015 and a double major in international relations and psychology. I am also a Wilder Trustee Scholarship Recipient.

I am a documentary maker, a producer, and the Director of Partnerships and Development of Phoenix TV, a leading Chinese media group. I work closely with international film festivals and documentary forums to bring great documentaries to the world. As a decision-maker for international film festivals and forums, I also help guide exciting new talent into the industry.

What are your most cherished memories from your time at the University of Rochester?

While many of my peers wanted to graduate as soon as they could or even a year earlier, I spent 5 years for my undergrad, and I have never regretted it. Having been a research assistant, run a student club, studied abroad in Europe, been admitted by Take Five Program and e5 Program (formerly known as KEY Program) … I have enjoyed and been enriched by as many school resources as I could.

If I had to pick the most cherished memories from my time at the University, I would say it’s studying abroad. Being born and raised in Shanghai, China, I have never imagined I could have such an amazing adventure studying not only in the U.S. but in more than 10 countries. I enrolled in IES EU Program in the spring semester of my junior year. In that 4 months, I have written the most papers IN MY LIFE! But it was not as painful as it sounds. As part of the program curriculum, I had the opportunity to study in the European Council, the European Parliament, the International Monetary Fund, and reflect on what information from the textbooks really means to the real world. So I didn’t struggle that much about what to write. Moreover, having seen and experienced in different countries, I was enriched in perspectives of understanding different cultures, the world, and who I am in this globalizing society. It was and still is priceless for me.

How did campus life and any co-curricular involvement (clubs, organizations, teams, etc.) impact your personal and professional growth?

I would not become who I am today without joining Greek life. To a non-U.S. student, all I knew about Greek life were these crazy parties from the movies. But I decided to figure it out on my own. I did a little research and I heard the recruitment was intense but I never imagined it could be that intense. Pitching oneself to others was hard for an introvert like me, not to mention having 30 pitches a day, 7 days in a row. But it really made me jump out of my comfort zone. I learned how to pitch myself and connect to people from different backgrounds. More importantly, I was surrounded by a group of inspiring young women who empowered me to be more confident and more adventurous.

I was also enriched by my leadership experience in the student club. As the president of the UR Model UN club, I had to manage a team and made important decisions responsible for the entire club. It trained me to evaluate what each role on the chain of command means to the entire organization and to think in the bigger picture. With the rigorous development in technology, especially AI, I think it is important to identify one’s personal strength, understand its value to the organization and the society he or she is in, and keep it up-to-date.

What University resources or initiatives were most impactful to your next steps after graduating?

Take Five Program is a unique resource of the University that has been most impactful to me, and I keep recommending it to students and parents. Admitted students can pursue academic interests beyond majors with no additional tuition.

The best gift I gained from Take Five is curiosity and interdisciplinary thinking. I was lucky that I could fully explore the fields I was curious about, integrate them with my majors and my passion, and create something new and meaningful for me and my peers at the best time of my life. Inspired by my experience studying abroad in the U.S. and Europe, my Take Five project explored Chinese students’ self-identity and self-positioning during their study abroad time at the University of Rochester through photography, integrating anthropology, psychology, and art.

Faculty from different departments who knew or didn’t know me at all and staff members from the College Center for Advising Services (CCAS), International Services Office (ISO), Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center, and more helped me sharpen my ideas, broadening my perspectives and providing me with the necessary data I needed. I felt so grateful and so honored that I could be so supported by the University to fulfill my academic enrichment.

With their help and support, I also held a multimedia exhibition and an intercultural event where I invited members of the Rochester community to share what the University means to us by the end of the project (it was not mandatory by the program). In the events, people from different races, and different countries gathered to share their feelings and perspectives. I can never forget how inspired and empowered I felt. It really encourages me to pursue lifelong learning, creativity, and understanding across cultures. Even today, these inspirations and empowerments are still helping me thrive on the international stage of documentary.

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life?

My journey at the University has made me a confident, compassionate, and grateful woman who is curious about the world and dares to adventure. It made me realize Meliora is not only a motto but also a daily practice.

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering with the University? What role(s) have you held?

I never felt my journey at the University ended after graduation. In the beginning, I just genuinely wanted to help out like the University faculty and staff have helped me. Gradually, I started to help for the University events in China as a Regional Network Leader. I have been organizing career panels for alumni, students, and the China Parent Network Retreat, providing translations for Chinese parents and University staff during school events, offering internship opportunities to students who are interested in media, and interviewing prospective students since I graduated. Every time when I see the anxious faces of parents and students turning into smiles, I feel really rewarded. Parents of the China Parent Network Committee who voluntarily organize events for incoming students and their families as well as promote the school reputation across the country have also motivated me along the way.

Now, as the President of the China Alumni Network, I hope to do more for alumni, students, and their families. With the help of Bailey Nixon, Associate Director of Regional Volunteers and Programs (Asia), we are working on building teams of alumni volunteers in major cities in China and planning more events for alumni. By fostering collaborations among alumni, schools, and parents, I believe a bigger impact can be created.

What advice do you have for fellow alumni and friends who may be interested in taking a more active role in our alumni and friends’ community?

Come join the events in China or anywhere you are! That’s how I got started and that’s how I got to meet all these amazing alumni and parents. From October 18-20, the China Parent Network will host its annual retreat in Hangzhou, offering an excellent opportunity to experience the strength of our networks in China. University staff will be there to share University updates and answer questions. All parents are welcome to join the event! Also, feel free to reach out to the Alumni Relations Office or any alumni or parent, you will find your peers soon.

What’s the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

Staying connected with the University community has kept me inspired. It reminds me of how empowered I was at the University and motivates me to give back, to inspire and support each other, and to continue exploring the boundless possibilities no matter where I am.