Asian Affairs Center

The Asian Affairs Center serves as a bridge between Mizzou and Asia, advancing the university’s global engagement mission through academic, professional and cultural exchange. The center providing training programs for Asian students, government officials and professionals, while also facilitating service-learning and study opportunities in Asia for Mizzou students. Through partnerships with universities, government agencies and organizations across the region, the center helps foster meaningful cross-cultural connections.

Developed and maintained close ties with MU partners and alumni in the Pacific Rim

The Asian Affairs Center is dedicated to cultivating and overseeing partnerships that foster academic, research, economic, cultural and diversity opportunities between Missouri and Asia.

• Initiated or supported the establishment or renewal of international memorandums of understanding with the following institutions and organizations in 2024/25:
  • Komazawa University | Tokyo, Japan — new campus-level agreement
  • CHA University | Pocheon, South Korea — new campus-level agreement
  • University of Finance and Economics | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia — new campus-level agreement
  • Sogang University | Seoul, South Korea — new campus-level agreement
  • Chonnam National University | Gwangju, South Korea — renewal campus-level agreement (partnership since 1978)
• Led the planning and coordination of the 16th Harry S. Truman Conference, scheduled for October 2025 in Seoul, South Korea, in collaboration with the MU Korean Alumni Association.
• Hosted a campus visit by the Dankook University presidential delegation in May 2025.
  • Included a formal dinner with President Mun Choi and Dr. Lael Keiser.

Delivered a range of short- and long-term training programs

Through its Missouri International Training Institute, the Asian Affairs Center provides professional development and educational opportunities for university students, faculty, government officials and professionals across Asia. These programs are designed to enhance global leadership, communication skills and cross-cultural competence.

• The Global Leadership Program for government officials, professionals, higher education faculty and research scholars is designed to enhance global competency and cross-cultural communication and leadership skills.
• Education programs for students and professionals at Mizzou’s partner institutions in Asia aim to enhance academic and leadership capabilities, language and communication skills and cross-cultural competence. The programs also provide professional immersion opportunities.
  • Lead, Engage, Advance and Discover is a semester-long program for university students, designed to develop their global leadership and instill the confidence and skills to become cross-culturally competent.
  • The center hosted a series of short-term educational programs for student groups from partner institutions in Japan and South Korea:
    • Global Leadership and Communications Program — 20 college students and young professionals from Pyeongtaek City, South Korea | July 3–26, 2025
    • 9th Educational Program on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management — 8 officials from Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power | Sept. 29–Oct. 8, 2024
    • Food and Health Sciences Program — 29 students and 2 professors from University of Nagano, Japan | June 8–20, 2025
    • 4th Summer Conference on Global Health Education — 28 students and 1 professor from Jinju Health College, South Korea | June 21–July 6, 2025
    • Global Leadership and Communications Program — 20 college students and young professionals from Pyeongtaek City, South Korea | July 3–26, 2025

Connected the campus and community to Asia

The center connects Mizzou students and faculty and the Columbia community to Asia through outreach programs, engagement activities and referrals to Asian studies programs at Mizzou. Additionally, we facilitate opportunities for teaching or study abroad in Asia.

• Provided Mizzou students with meaningful cross-cultural exchange through on-campus volunteer programs like the Collegiate Ambassador Program.
• Coordinated the 50th anniversary homecoming visit of the Korean Agricultural Training Program class of 1974 alumni group for MU Extension, Oct.1–2, 2024.
• Hosted the inaugural Asian Affairs Center Fall Festival and Pig Roast at Coopers Landing on Oct. 17, 2024. This event fosters connections between Asian students, visiting scholars and the broader campus and Columbia community.
• Coordinated the City of Columbia’s Korean sister city visit by a delegation from Suncheon, including the city council chairman and 13 council members and staff, Nov. 12–13, 2024.
• Partnered with the Columbia Chinese Language School to provide community members access to Chinese language and cultural education.

Promoted awareness and appreciation of Asia and its various cultures

The center actively promotes understanding and appreciation of Asia through cultural events, academic collaborations and student engagement.

• Provided ongoing support for Mizzou’s Asian student organizations, including Japanese Student Association and Korean Student Association.
• Organized a live K-pop music showcase featuring the group EastShine at Mizzou on Nov. 13, 2024.
• Co-hosted a screening of “Carving the Divine,” a Japanese documentary focused on the preservation of Buddhist Art, in collaboration with the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures; School of Visual Studies; and Department of Classics, Archaeology and Religion on Nov. 13, 2024.
• Celebrated Lunar New Year with themed cuisine and entertainment on Jan. 29, 2025, in collaboration with MU Campus Dining, Bubblecup Tea Zone and Panda Express.
  • This event featured Mizzou student organizations including the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, Korean Student Association and Missouri International Student Council.
• Hosted a campus panel discussion: “South Korea in Turmoil: Examining Martial Law, Impeachment and Democratic Resilience” on Jan. 30, 2025.
• Supported the China Night Gala on Feb. 1, 2025, presented by the Mid-Missouri Chinese Association, Chinese Students and Scholars Association and Columbia Friends of China.
• Co-sponsored a screening of the documentary “Invisible Nation” in collaboration with the Kinder Institute, Department of History and International Studies Program on March 7, 2025.
• Organized a campus lecture by acclaimed author and journalist Peter Hessler: “From the Reform Generation to Generation Xi: A Teacher Returns to a Chinese Classroom After 20 Years” on April 3, 2025.
• Partnered with the Unbound Book Festival to sponsor a VIP reception for its 10th anniversary keynote featuring acclaimed novelist Min Jin Lee on April 18, 2025.

Facilitated opportunities between Missouri and Asia

Through our official partnership with the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the Asian Affairs Center collaborates with Asian governments and businesses to strengthen communication and promote educational, cultural and economic opportunities between Missouri and Asia. The center also serves as communication liaison for the State of Missouri and City of Columbia sister prefecture/province and city partnerships in Japan and South Korea.

• Maintained active communication with Asian consulates in Chicago, particularly the Chinese and Korean consulates general, to explore collaboration opportunities that benefit Mizzou and state of Missouri.
• Coordinated the City of Columbia’s Korean sister city visit by a delegation from Suncheon, including the city council chairman and 13 council members and staff, Nov. 12–13, 2024.
• Hosted Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles Director Sangwon Jung on Oct. 25, 2024, to discuss potential collaboration with Mizzou.
  • KCCLA is currently collaborating with Washington University in St. Louis.
• Coordinated a campus visit from the Korea Foundation’s Washington, D.C. office on Oct. 30, 2024. Visitors included Mr. Sungwon Bae, director, and Ms. Cho-young Koh, senior program officer
  • Meetings were arranged with Jamie Arndt, College of Arts and Science senior associate dean, and Lael Keiser, director of the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs.

Fast facts

Updated 17-NOV-2025