Navigating Four Years Together: NYU Shanghai Connects with Class of 2030 Families

On August 23, NYU Shanghai introduced the families of the Class of 2030 to the campus community through a New Parents Panel. Chancellor Tong Shijun, Vice Chancellor Jeffrey Lehman, and Provost Bei Wu attended the event. The program featured speeches by the University leadership and two panel sessions where speakers shared more about the resources and services NYU Shanghai provides and their personal experiences to help new families integrate seamlessly into the community.

Chancellor Tong Shijun

Chancellor Tong addressed the audience, sharing insights on NYU Shanghai's unique identity as a Sino-American joint university backed by two long-standing institutions. He highlighted the school's key role in advancing higher education in China and fostering U.S.-China cultural exchange, while reassuring families that rigorous academic standards are paired with comprehensive student support. He concluded by emphasizing the campus's rich international diversity and its core mission to cultivate grounded, globally minded citizens.

Vice Chancellor Jeffrey Lehman

Vice Chancellor Lehman invited parents to envision their children’s progress over the next four years, noting, “Your children will become completely fluent in English, they will become incredibly effective at working with foreigners, and they will become experts in very challenging majors.” He pointed out that true development at NYU Shanghai requires taking risks and learning from mistakes. Emphasizing that these struggles are essential to personal maturity, Lehman reassured families: “During the next four years, you will see your children transform into mature, capable adults, whom you admire and respect. They will graduate from NYU Shanghai as well prepared for life in the 21st century as they could possibly be.”

Provost Bei Wu

Speaking from her dual perspective as an academic leader and a mother who sent her own child to college, Provost Wu addressed the emotional and intellectual transition awaiting families. In an era marked by rapid technological change, Wu stressed that NYU Shanghai’s primary role is not to map out guaranteed career paths, but to foster critical thinking and adaptability—ensuring that “when artificial intelligence generates answers faster and faster... students still know how to ask a good question.” Framing the inevitable hurdles of college life as vital milestones for personal maturity, she urged parents to evolve from decision-makers into supportive sounding boards by asking their children, “What are your thoughts?” Promising that families will witness a profound transformation over the next four years, Wu noted that “the most beautiful part of education is watching a young person gradually become themselves.”

From Left to Right: Cathie Liu, Minqing Wang, Jenna Jiang and Tong Jin

The speeches were followed by two panel discussions. The first featured Minqing Wang from Academic Advising, Tong Jin from the Academic Resource Center, and Jenna Jiang from the Center for Career Development. They highlighted key university resources that allow students to optimize their college experience from matriculation through graduation.

From Left to Right: Cathie Liu, Abigail Fang, Lulu Lu, Hammond Liu and Xiaoyan Tian

The second session focused on parent and alumni perspectives, featuring Ms. Xiaoyan Tian, a parent of a Class of 2027 student, Hammond Liu and Lulu Lu, both Class of 2023 alumni, and Abigail Fang, a Class of 2024 alumna. During the discussion, the alumni shared overviews of their individual undergraduate journeys, speaking in depth about how they chose their majors and Study Away locations. Ms. Tian offered a similar perspective, explaining the role parents play when their children navigate such critical decisions.

When asked what their parents did well or could have improved during their freshman year, Hammond Liu, a student in the joint Ph.D. program in Computer Science with NYU and NYU Shanghai, emphasized boundaries: “Let go, and completely trust us to pursue what we truly love.” He also advised parents to exercise caution regarding parent group chats: “Parent communities are wonderful, but it’s easy for group enthusiasm to feel like group pressure. Focus on your child's individual progress rather than comparing their progress to others, every student blooms on their own schedule, and there is zero rush to match anyone else's stride.”

Lulu Lu, a Relationship Manager at Standard Chartered Bank, echoed that sentiment, thanking her parents for trusting her throughout her four years at NYU Shanghai. She reminded parents that everyone moves at their own pace: “Some students go straight into the workforce after senior year, others pursue a master’s or Ph.D., and while some head back to Shanghai to work, others choose to stay in the U.S. Everyone is on a different journey.” She also described the ideal parental posture: “I am so grateful my parents trusted my judgment. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, they were always there to support me, offering feedback and wisdom drawn from their own experiences.”

Abigail Fang, a PricewaterhouseCoopers consultant, candidly thanked parents for investing in their children, recognizing the weight of that commitment. She shared how her parents provided crucial emotional backing: “They supported me where they could, acting as my bedrock and my anchor.” Reflecting on her time at NYU Shanghai, Fang advised parents that “between college and the world after graduation, there are endless resources to navigate; my parents helped me explore those possibilities initially, but ultimately taught me how to figure them out on my own.”

From Left to Right: Cathie Liu, Abigail Fang, Lulu Lu, Hammond Liu and Xiaoyan Tian

Ms. Tian remarked that three years ago, she sat in the audience listening to parents before her share their wisdom, adding how honored she felt to now offer guidance to a new generation of families. She described the experience as passing a baton, sharing the wisdom she gained as an NYU Shanghai parent to help new families best position and equip themselves for the journey ahead. She encouraged parents to give their children space to explore and make academic decisions while maintaining a supportive role: “Emotionally, I served as a constant sounding board, especially when she went abroad. Whether she needed to share joy or work through anxiety, I offered steady guidance and reassurance to ease her stress. While I anchored her emotional needs, I tried to give her space in her daily life.” She also highlighted how Study Away fostered her daughter’s personal growth: “She gained autonomy by living on campus during her first two years, but the junior Study Away year truly transformed her. That experience proved that studying abroad is about far more than academics; it’s about mastering personal independence, managing emotions, and navigating life's challenges. That is what knowing when to hold on and when to let go means to me.”

An International Parents Panel was organized to give international families a deeper understanding of the university. Hosted by David Pe, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, the session covered available campus resources and outlined how students will be supported over the next four years. He detailed the functions of various campus offices, encouraging parents to engage in constructive conversations with their children about utilizing these opportunities. He concluded by addressing common challenges freshmen face and offering practical tips on how parents can support their child in this new environment.