About Us

Professor Hong Yang is the Director of the U.S.-China Institute and the Confucius Institute. He joined the Science and Technology faculty at Bryant University in 1998 and founded the "Environmental Studies in China" program in 1999. His teaching and research interests include geology, molecular biology, and environmental science.

Professor Yang has earned degrees from institutions in China and the United States:

• Ph.D. in Geology and Paleobotany, College of Earth Resources, University of Idaho, 1993
• M.S. in Botany and Paleobotany, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 1988
• B.S. in Earth Science, with honors, Wuhan College, P.R. China, 1985

In addition to his work at Bryant, Dr. Yang is a research professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Yale University and a visiting professor at four Chinese universities. His academic accomplishments include:

• Alfred P. Sloan Fellow
• Public Intellectual Fellow, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations
• Edited two books and published over 40 scientific papers in peer reviewed journals
• Distinguished Faculty Member award, Bryant University, 2006
  

> Hide Bio
 

Kongli Liu joined the U.S.-China Institute in 2007. Prior to his work at Bryant, Mr. Liu worked for three years at Primary Source, a Massachusetts-based non-profit education center, providing professional development programs for educators on Chinese history, culture, and language. He also led American educator study trips to China and Japan. In China, Mr. Liu taught English at the University of International Relations in Beijing and Beijing New Oriental School.

Mr. Liu holds a Master's degree in Education from Harvard University and MA and BA degrees in English Language and Literature from the University of International Relations in Beijing. Appointed by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Education, Mr. Liu is a current member of the Global Education Advisory Council at the Massachusetts Department of Education. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Sino-American Bridge for Education and Health (SABEH). Mr. Liu is a frequent speaker on Chinese education and culture for students, educators, professionals, and communities.

> Hide Bio
 

Denise Schwerin has considerable international business experience, working with international companies and universities since 2000. Her experience includes:

• Working with Ferris State University and the Small Business Association, Ms. Schwerin helped establish training programs for Russian and American business people on how to conduct business globally.
• Marketing consultant for Co Café in Costa Rica. She also worked with coffee farmers on Monte Verdi to help them get fair trade prices.
• Teaching marketing and business communications and English at Kingbridge College of Business (Dongbei) in Dalian, China. Then joined the faculty at the University of Missouri in Dalian, China.
• Consulting for several international corporations who wanted to develop their employees’ customer service skills, finance skills,and understanding of the American culture.

Fluent in Chinese and German, Ms. Schwerin joined the U.S.–China Institute at Bryant University as the Assistant Director for Business Services in 2007.

> Hide Bio
 

With extensive experience in project/program management and coordination, Kun Xie joined the U.S.-China Institute at Bryant University as program coordinator for the Confucius Institute in 2007.

Ms. Xie's previous experience includes working at the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC Corp.) as a project manager overseeing and facilitating international cooperation projects for four years. Utilizing her experience and expertise, Ms. Xie then worked for GTECH Corporation as an analyst, conducting in-depth research on business practices and cultural environment of emerging markets. Most recently she worked for the Rhode Island Export Assistant Center as a research assistant and working on environmental education projects for K-12 students in Rhode Island.

Ms. Xie received a Master's in Business Administration from Bryant University and a B.S. in Economics from Tianjin University of Finance and Economics in China.

> Hide Bio