China-based Staff

Beijing Staff

Han Bing, Director, Beijing Program
Han Bing is a native of Beijing, who has worked in study abroad and Chinese language teaching since 1997. He has many years of experience as a program director as well as a Chinese language instructor in China and the United States. In recent years he has taught Chinese language, culture, film studies, and Chinese business culture in China and in the US at both Vassar College and Williams College. He has also led numerous student trips throughout China, including Yunnan, Sichuan, Northwestern China, Silk Road, Northeastern China, Eastern China, Guangdong, and Tibet. In addition to managing the Beijing program, Han Bing leads the Field Study Trip for Fudan program students. Han Bing earned a BA in Electrical Engineering in 1996, a BA in International Trade in 1997, and an MA in Microwave Communications Technology in 2000.

Guo Jiawei (Jada), Program Assistant, Beijing Program
Jada is a native of Beijing, and earned her bachelor's degree in financial management from Beijing Capital University of Economic and Business in 2006. She also graduated from Lamar University in Texas with an MBA in accounting. While pursuing her MBA, Jada worked as a Chinese language tutor and co-founded Lamar University's first Chinese cultural association. In 2008, as part of her MBA program she had her own study abroad experience and became intersted in the international education field. Since then she has decided to pursue this as a full-time career. She has worked for Alliance both as an intern in the Washington office and as a full-time program assistant for the Beijing program where she performs day-to-day operations and other administrative functions.

Shanghai Staff

Tian Zhuo, Language Director, Shanghai Programs
Tian Zhuo brings to the Alliance a strong background in Chinese language teaching. Through her experience of teaching for several years at a well-known study abroad program in Beijing, she developed a keen understanding of Chinese language pedagogy and the needs of American students and was promoted to Head Teacher. In 2005, Tian Zhuo joined the Chinese Department of Middlebury College in Vermont and remained there until 2007. As Language Director of the Alliance’s Shanghai Programs, she is responsible for maintaining superior language instruction by supervising and training Alliance language teachers and working closely with the our students. Tian Zhuo earned a BA in Accounting in 1996 and a MA in Minority Economics in 2001.

Wang Kai, Director, SUFE International Business Program
Wang Kai brings to the Alliance an academic background in communication studies focusing on intercultural communication, coupled with hands-on experience working in the field of study abroad, higher education, and professional training. He has taught and advised U.S. undergraduates at the University of Kansas, and has taught English to undergraduates in China. Kai received his PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas and an M.A. in Communication from Pittsburg State University. His personal interests range from playing Go, watching sports, to traveling in the U.S. as well as in China. He serves as a resource to our students in the SUFE International Business Program, organizes activities and trips, and helps them deepen their understanding of China.

Han Lu, SUFE Program Assistant
Han Lu assists the Program Director in all aspects of student services at the SUFE International Business program. She earned her BA in Chinese Language and Literature from Heilongjiang University in Harbin and went on to complete her MA in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics from Shanghai International Studies University in June 2009. Lu has experience in teaching Chinese as a foreign language both in China, at her graduate school, and in the US, where she taught for a year at Sissonville High School in Charleston, West Virginia.

Michelle Sans, Director, Fudan Programs
Michelle, who holds MA degrees in Teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language and in Chinese Language and Literature, first went to Taipei in 1986 to teach English and study Chinese. Since then, China has shaped the course of her professional life. She lived in Nanjing for four years, where she studied and later taught at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center; and after returning to San Francisco, she chose work that would regularly bring her back to China. That has included leading a dozen academic tours throughout China and researching and writing two chapters of Frommer’s first China Guide, which took her to some of the less visited provinces, including Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Qinghai (still three of her favorite destinations.) While directing VIA’s (Volunteers in Asia) China program, Michelle worked with volunteer organizations across the country and developed a keen interest in China’s burgeoning civil society. Shanghai, best known as an economic giant, is also home to a number of grassroots organizations. Michelle looks forward to finding new opportunities for Alliance students to interact with this growing nonprofit sector.

Zherui Ding, Fudan Programs Assistant
Zherui (Ella) Ding graduated from East China Normal University, where she majored in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. Ella supports all aspects of student service and is involved with program planning and coordination at Fudan. In addition, Ella also teaches Chinese for the International Business program at SUFE. As a native of Shanghai, Ella is very familiar with the city and local culture and is great resource for exploring all this amazing city has to offer.

Xi'an Staff

Darren Wright, Director, Xi’an Program
Darren Wright initially joined the Alliance as the Resident Director for the CLS Beijing Program during summer 2010. Following the completion of this term, Darren will transition to his new role as Resident Director of the Xi’an Program, reflecting his expertise in this fascinating region of China. He earned his BA in Chinese Studies from Brigham Young University and went on to pursue a dual MA in Chinese Literature and Chinese Religion at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2007. Darren has several years of experience as a Chinese teacher, linguist and business liaison. As Director of the Xi’an Program, Darren is responsible for all aspects of program management including orientation, activities and trips, health and safety, and academic advising.