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SCHOLARSHIP
IPPAM appreciates and welcomes any and all support of the program through any form of gracious donations to the IPPAM Scholarship fund.
IPPAM SCHOLARSHIP
Daniel Tsai Scholarship
Dr. Joyce Mann Memorial Award
IPPAM Alumni Donors
Harold and Joanna Scholarship
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Get Involved - Give a Gift to IPPAM
IPPAM appreciates any and all support through donations to the IPPAM Scholarship fund. Your support of the IPPAM Scholarship opens doors to new opportunities, new avenues of thought, and new ideas. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and commitment to help further our mission. We invite you to invest in the bright futures of IPPAM students. If you are interested in supporting the program, please contact Dr. Rym Kaki at [email protected].
Eight IPPAM alumni have each committed to make annual donations in order to establish and maintain the IPPAM Scholarship for fellow IPPAM students like themselves.
The Harold T. Craig and Joanna C. Yu Memorial Scholarship was established by Joanna C. Yu, wife of Harold Craig, in honor of the most beloved and influential man in her life and a dear friend to the USC IPPAM program.
The Daniel Tsai Scholarship for Taiwan Students provides full tuition funding to residents of Taiwan who are interested in politics and public policy or are already actively engaged in the political arena in Taiwan.
Alumni Donors
DIXON ZHANG
IPPAM 4 / CHINA
Q: Hello, Dixon. Where is your hometown?
Dixon: I was born and raised in Zhejiang Province in China.
Q: Where do you live now?
Dixon: I now live and work in Shanghai.
Q: Tell us a little bit about what you do.
Dixon: I am the founder and CEO of a fintech Company in China.
Q: How has what you learned at IPPAM benefited you in your current work?
Dixon: Before coming to IPPAM, I had received all my education in China. IPPAM was my first study-abroad experience, so you can imagine how new and different everything was to me. It was truly an eye-opening experience for me. I think what I learned the most from IPPAM was realizing that every culture is different and that we need to respect other people’s values and opinions.
Q: Thinking back at your time in IPPAM, what was your most memorable experience?
Dixon: I had classmates coming from 7-8 different countries with vastly different cultures and customs. With our very nurturing professors and staff members, IPPAM truly felt like a big family to me. We shared so many happy memories at IPPAM. I think that’s something I will never forget.
Q: Have you remained in touch with your other IPPAM alumni or attended any recent IPPAM events?
Dixon: Yes. I’ve attended many IPPAM events throughout the years. I still keep in contact with my classmates from Taiwan.
Q: What are your reasons for helping assist the IPPAM program and do you have any wishes for the future of IPPAM?
Dixon: I was on a business trip from China to LA a few years ago, and I thought of course I should stop by USC, and especially IPPAM. Joanna and I have kept in touch since then, and we would often chat about how IPPAM is doing. When I heard that IPPAM had lost the classroom that housed so many of my precious memories, I decided to do what I could to help. I’m very glad that I’m able to help IPPAM get back the classroom, and that future students can continue to make new memories there.
JULIA AND ANDREW PAN
IPPAM 6 / CHINA
Julia Pan graduated from the IPPAM program in 2004 with a specialization in Health Care Administration. She loved her time with IPPAM and wanted to give back to the program. She speaks about how this is not just gratitude, but paying back of all the great insights and skills learned through the IPPAM program. The Pan family has committed to giving to the IPPAM program for five years.
DANIEL CHIEN
IPPAM 8 / TAIWAN
Daniel Chien, an IPPAM 8 graduate and alumnus, has always displayed an interest in philanthropy and during his time at IPPAM, he had demonstrated this on numerous occasions in regards to his peers and his actions as a student senate member. IPPAM will invest Daniel Chien’s gracious donation towards IPPAM community services.
Q: Daniel, you travel quite often for work. What do you do?
Daniel: I am running my business in real estate in Taiwan and China.
Q: Do you think what you learned from the IPPAM program has been useful for your work?
Daniel: The skills I learned from the IPPAM can be applied to my current work such as policy making and communication. Those practices benefit my work a lot. IPPAM is like a small United Nations. We come from different cultures and backgrounds. We are immersed in a global environment enriched and informed by the diverse perspectives. The “globalization” experience really inspired me to enhance my relationships with my employees, customers, partners and friends in this converging world.
Q: Do you still meet with your other IPPAM alumni? Involved in any IPPAM events?
Daniel: At the end of each year, we have IPPAM reunion dinners in Asia. I attend events in Taiwan & China every year. It’s really a great time to meet our professors, classmates, and new IPPAMers.
Q: What are the reasons you decided to assist the IPPAM program? Do you have any wish and desire for the IPPAM program?
Daniel: The wonderful memories of IPPAM have widened my network, which is proven to be very useful. What I’ve done for a modest spur is to induce all IPPAM alumni to come forward with valuable contributions. I really hope the donation helps IPPAM deliver more community services to not only invite more alumni to come back to IPPAM program events but also find and recruit more high quality new students to join us.
CHEONG (JENNY) LAU
IPPAM 8 / CHINA
Q: Hello, Jenny. Where are you from originally? Where did you grow up?
Jenny: I was born in Mainland China, Shan Dong Province, however, moved to Hong Kong, England, and the USA for education respectively.
Q: I heard you own a business now. What do you do now? What kind of work are you doing? How is your current work related to what you learned from IPPAM?
Jenny: I started a private jet business in the aviation industry in Hong Kong after I graduated from IPPAM. My business relates to financing, aircraft management, charter and other supporting services for clients to enjoy the luxury of flying on a private jet. The organizational skills, leadership, communication skills and team spirit that I learned from IPPAM are the essential capabilities for my career development now.
Q: Do you still meet with other IPPAM alumni? Involved in any IPPAM events?
Jenny: Yes. One of my colleagues is actually an IPPAM alumnus. I participated in the IPPAM annual events. I also introduce candidates to join the IPPAM program.
Q: What are the reasons you decided to help out the IPPAM program? Do you have any wish and desire for the IPPAM program?
Jenny: I want the program to host more events to bring the students together and have more public exposure. In addition, I hope future students of IPPAM can enjoy more resources.
YANNING LI
IPPAM 13 / CHINA
Q: Where are you from, Yanning?
Yanning: I’m from Changchun, China. I grew up in Changchun City.
Q: Where do you live now? What do you do?
Yanning: I live in Beijing now. I am running my architectural design firm, and also pursuing my Ph.D. degree at the Tsinghua University now. My major is Architecture, same as my bachelor degree. I plan on finishing the degree within three years. I’m becoming busier and busier with work and school these days.
Q: Do you feel anything you learned from IPPAM has been useful for your current study/work?
Yanning: When I was in the IPPAM program, I choose Urban Planning as my concentration. Urban planning is similar to architecture.
Q: What do you remember the most about the IPPAM experience?
Yanning: Those leisure activities shared with classmates were the activities that were unforgettable. Some major activities were the beach day, homecoming, dinners, and graduation.
Q: Do you still meet with your other IPPAM alumni?
Yanning: Yes, I always took part of the IPPAM Beijing reunion event every year. With other IPPAM alumni, I work together and travel in Beijing.
Q: Do you have any comments to the IPPAM program?
Yanning: I wish the IPPAM program great successes in the future.
CHRISTIAN GARCIA
IPPAM 14
Q: Hi Christian. Please tell us where do you live now?
Christian: I now live in San Diego, California.
Q: How has what you learned at IPPAM benefited you in your current work/study?
Christian: I went into research and international trade after graduating from IPPAM. I loved the work and was able to use my research and data analytics skills to advance my career.
Q: Thinking back at your time in IPPAM, what was your most memorable experience?
Christian: I enjoyed all the group activities we did together and the family unity that was formed.
Q: Have you remained in touch with your other IPPAM alumni or attended any recent IPPAM events?
Christian: Yes. I have kept in touch with quite a few IPPAM alumni. I’ve also attended a few events.
Q: What are your reasons for helping assist the IPPAM program and do you have any wishes for the future of IPPAM?
Christian: IPPAM is such a unique and special program that really has the potential to help strengthen international relations – whether political, economic or business.
TANYA WU
IPPAM 14 / CHINA
Q: Hello Tanya! Where are you from?
Tanya: I am from Wuhu, China. My parents sent me to a boarding school in Wuxi, China when I was 9 years old. Afterwards, I had my senior high school and college in Shanghai for 7 years before coming to LA.
Q: Where do you live now and what do you do?
Tanya: I live in Dallas, Texas now. I am a reinsurance broker at EWI Re, Inc, a subsidiary of NL industries, Inc.
Q: How has what you learned at IPPAM benefited you in your current work/study?
Tanya: I really appreciate that IPPAM require all the students take critical thinking test during the first week of enrollment, and it was the first time in my life I was introduced the concept of critical thinking skill and began to be aware of critical thinking skill’s profound impact on our life. During the 1.5 years study in IPPAM, I received tremendous help from IPPAM faculty so that I can consciously improve my critical thinking skill which still benefits my work theses days. I also got the opportunity to choose my final master project on “Managing Thailand Flood Risk by Using Non-structural Risk Mitigation”, a topic combining both international public policy and insurance. Through the master project, I began to see insurance and reinsurance as a cornerstone to a well-functioning society; help to maintain a reliable foundation for the economy and creating stability. Last but not least, I am very grateful that I gained invaluable international perspective while in IPPAM, with China’s economy growing at a rapid speed, I can play a more visible role in insurance industry than ever before.
Q: Thinking back at your time in IPPAM, what was your most memorable experience?
Tanya: I was so impressed by warm and hospital culture within IPPAM. 1.5 year study in IPPAM can be intensive, but the genuine warm and caring culture in IPPAM made us feel at home no matter how much challenge we would get in the U.S. I remembered Joanna opened her house to host July 4th party for all IPPAM 14 students and faculty one month right after us international students landed in LA.
Q: Have you remained in touch with your other IPPAM alumni or attended any recent IPPAM events?
Tanya: Yes. For the past 5 years, I attended IPPAM’s 15th and 20th anniversary celebration in LA, and USC Global Conference in Shanghai.
Q: What are your reasons for helping assist the IPPAM program and do you have any wishes for the future of IPPAM?
Tanya: IPPAM to me is my family in the U.S. I started my life in the U.S from IPPAM, and IPPAM had a tremendous impact on all aspects of my life- academically, socially, and spiritually. I want to see other IPPAMers have more opportunities to enrich their life while in IPPAM and become a truly global citizen to make this world a better place!
DANTING LI
IPPAM 15 / CHINA
Q: Hello Danting! Thank you for doing this interview with us. Where are you from?
Danting: I’m originally from China. Came to U.S. in year 2010 with my family. Stay in U.S. since then.
Q: Where do you live now and what do you do?
Danting: I moved to Houston in 2014 and live there since then. I started my own business with my partners in 2017. Now we have offices in Houston, Dallas and Beijing with about 50 employees. We are residential home developer and operator in Texas.
Q: How has what you learned at IPPAM benefited you in your current work/study?
Danting: IPPAM provided me the best access to start thinking and acting in the American way, not alone, but with a team. I mean all those team work on various projects and topics. That was perfect opportunities to collaborate with people from different backgrounds and interests. I took many courses not only in IPPAM program but also in Price school and other school programs. I appreciate all those chances to learn from insightful professors and talented classmates. To work with them, to observe how they act, and to understand their standpoint, experiences learning from them profoundly impact my current and future work.
Q: Thinking back at your time in IPPAM, what was your most memorable experience?
Danting: Friends I met in IPPAM will be my lifetime valuable friends. I love them and always miss all those days we spent together in LA. Even those tough time during final exams are cherished. Stressful, but purely simple with clear targets.
Q: Have you remained in touch with your other IPPAM alumni or attended any recent IPPAM events?
Danting: I kept in touch with a lot of my IPPAM alumni friends. Even my husband, he becomes friend of my IPPAM alumni. Some of my IPPAM friends from Taiwan pay more visits to my husband instead of meeting me. Haha…
Q: What are your reasons for helping assist the IPPAM program and do you have any wishes for the future of IPPAM?
Danting: For all current or future IPPAMers, please do cherish each day in IPPAM and in USC. That was my best time in my life and hope you may think in the same way.
Harold T. Craig and Joanna C. Yu Memorial Scholarship
Established by Joanna C. Yu, wife of Harold Craig, in honor of the most beloved and influential man in her life and a dear friend to the USC IPPAM program.
Harold Craig was the CEO of Craig Associates and Managing Partner of Greenpipe Capital Group, an investment consulting company which focuses on energy, water, and urban infrastructure investment and management. A longtime expert in government-business cooperation, he was frequently invited to speak at conferences and institutes, and had been advising various Chinese enterprises, including Shanghai Capital Investment Group and China Rail, on investment strategies and establishing operations in the US.
A native of England, Harold was born in Birkerhead very close to Liverpool. At age 20, he was awarded an athletic scholarship to study in the US. This opportunity launched his foray into a global arena and his personal journey in being an international student in the US. Through this early life experience, he developed a passion that led to his interest in global development and ultimately IPPAM and Joanna.
As a member of the IPPAM family, he was a constant presence and a sage advisor to many students. He was also a consummate problem-solver. Whenever there was a student in need, Harold leant a helping hand. No request was too big or too small. As a businessman working in the global arena, he also saw the tremendous value that students with a USC degree in public policy and management could bring to organizations in their home country and in the US. He boosted their confidence in what they could contribute and ultimately accomplish.
Harold was IPPAM’s biggest champion, allowing those enrolled in the program to believe in something greater than themselves. We miss him dearly – but are so very thankful for the time we shared together. This scholarship is provided in the spirit that Harold embodied, in hope to continue his legacy of selfless giving and sharing. Harold will always be a titan of IPPAM, and he will forever live on in our hearts.
Dr. Joyce Mann Memorial Award
The Dr. Joyce Mann Memorial Award for Global Leadership recognizes aspiring global leaders and professional students from the International Public Policy and Management Program for demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence, impactful community service, and professional promise in international development. This award is in memory of Dr. Joyce Mann’s legacy for the IPPAM program and grand vision for a better world. Fostering a culture of dialog, collaboration, and purposeful service. The two graduating students recognized for the award will receive a certificate and a cash prize. Congratulations to the recipients.
Daniel Tsai Scholarship
The USC Price School of Public Policy is pleased to announce the establishment of the Daniel Tsai Scholarship for Taiwan Students enrolling in the International Public Policy and Management (IPPAM) master’s degree program. The scholarship provides full tuition funding to residents of Taiwan who are interested in politics and public policy or are already actively engaged in the political arena in Taiwan.
The scholarship is seeking to support those who work or will work as staff in the Legislative Yuan or in local government or who aspire to run for political office. Professionals with several years of work experience and those who are early in their careers or whose contributions may have been through volunteer work, are encouraged to apply.
A message from the Scholarship Committee and the Program Director
Michael Tai-Fu Kuo
President, Daniel Tsai Scholarship Committee
Rym Kaki, Ph.D.
Director, IPPAM
Scholarship Recipients
Joyce Ting-Huan Ho
IPPAM Alumna – USC Price School
Roger Nan-Chih Chiang
IPPAM Alumnus, USC Price School
Clark Hong-Sheng Hsu
IPPAM Alumnus, USC Price School
Ke-Hsin Li
IPPAM Student, USC Price School
