Where are they now?

Alumni Profiles

Since the first Shansi Fellows crossed the ocean to China more than 100 years ago, and Visiting Scholars began arriving in Oberlin a few years later, we have supported more than 470 Fellows and more than 200 Visiting Scholars.

Shansi alumni from these programs represent an amazing diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and pathways in life. Among their many careers, they have conducted groundbreaking agricultural and medical research, tirelessly defended human rights, shaped entire academic disciplines, produced seminal pieces of art and literature, and dedicated their lives to diplomacy and peace-building.

Some of these stories are told in the Oberlin Shansi Centennial book published in 2008 and the wonderful Shansi: Oberlin and Asia digital collection in the Oberlin College archives. Now, as part of our Alumni Mentorship program, we hope to capture more recent stories of our alumni from the Fellowship and Visiting Scholars programs.

Oberlin Shansi 10/17/24 Oberlin Shansi 10/17/24

Alumni Profile: Laura Dudu ‘18

Artist and Community Organizer

Laura Dudu ‘18 was an Independent Fellow to Japan from 2018 to 2020. Today, Laura is the co-founder and co-director of Chinese Artists and Organizers (CAO) collective, whose work has recently been featured across the US.

Oberlin Shansi 6/7/23 Oberlin Shansi 6/7/23

Alumni Profile: Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A.

Higher Education in Indonesia

Dr. Adi Sutrisno is an academic leader and mentor to Shansi Fellows to UGM in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. We spoke with him about his life and Shansi experiences.

Oberlin Shansi 4/14/23 Oberlin Shansi 4/14/23

Alumni Profile: Dr. Tim Henrich ‘96

Medicine & Research

Dr. Timothy Henrich ‘96 was a fellow at J.F. Oberlin University in Machida, Japan. Now he researches HIV, SARS-CoV-2, and human herpes viruses.

Oberlin Shansi 4/13/23 Oberlin Shansi 4/13/23

Alumni Profile: Dr. J. Paul Jayakar

Higher Education in India

Dr. Paul Jayakar is a Visiting Scholar alum from spring 2007 and is now the Dean for International Exchange and Study Abroad at American College in Madurai, India. Phoebe von Conta ‘22 caught up with Paul in this Alumni Profile.

Oberlin Shansi 9/8/21 Oberlin Shansi 9/8/21

Alumni Profile: Beatrice Camp '72

Foreign Service

Bea was a Shansi Fellow at Chiang Mai University in Northern Thailand from 1973 to 1976. Following her time as a Shansi Fellow, Bea went on to have a long and distinguished career in the Foreign Service. She served as the Consul General in both Shanghai and Chiang Mai, along with positions in Beijing, Bangkok, Indonesia, Mongolia, Hungary, Sweden, as well as Washington, DC. Currently, Bea serves as the editor of American Diplomacy, an online journal offering insight and analysis from foreign affairs practitioners and scholars.

Oberlin Shansi 6/28/21 Oberlin Shansi 6/28/21

Alumni Profile: Chris Nguyen ‘15

Business

Chris Nguyen ‘15 realized his dream to stay in Japan post-Fellowship and is currently working in Tokyo as a senior consultant at weConnect.

Oberlin Shansi 7/13/20 Oberlin Shansi 7/13/20

Alumni Profile: Ruby Saha '14

Assistant Director of development for UChicago Arts

Ruby graduated in 2014 majoring in Art History and served as a Shansi Fellow in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from 2014-2016.

Oberlin Shansi 5/26/20 Oberlin Shansi 5/26/20

Alumni Profile: Karl Orozco '13

Artist and Museum Educator

Karl graduated in 2013 majoring in Visual Art and Sociology and served as a Shansi Fellow in Banda Aceh, Indonesia from 2013 to 201.

Oberlin Shansi 5/14/20 Oberlin Shansi 5/14/20

Alumni Profile: Elizabeth Rogers '07

Author and Professor

Beth graduated from Oberlin in 2007 majoring in Creative Writing and Dance and served as a Shansi Fellow from 2007-2009 at Shanxi Agricultural University in Taigu, China.