Delaware Governor's School for Excellence in Chinese Language and Culture

Program Faculty

There will be four experienced chaperones on the trip. Three of the chaperones have extensive experience in living and traveling abroad. The fourth yet to be named chaperone will be a Delaware high school teacher. In addition, two advanced undergraduate students of Chinese language and culture from the University of Delaware will serve as program assistants.

Jianguo Chen, PhD, Academic Director

Dr. Chen is an assistant professor of Chinese and Chinese literature, and director of the Chinese program at the University of Delaware. Dr. Chen will ensure that all academic and non-academic activities are cohesive and efficiently managed, allowing the students to focus on the program, thus benefiting as much as possible. He will also assist and monitor the students’ progress. Dr. Chen is a native of Beijing and has directed the University’s Study Abroad Programs in China for the past three years (including the 2007 Governor’s School in China). He has over twelve years of experience teaching and research on Chinese language, literature, culture and films, first at the University of California at Davis, where he earned a doctorate in Chinese and comparative literature, then at Michigan State, and since 2002 at UD. Dr. Chen has published extensively in these areas. His most recent publications include a new book on Chinese literature and aesthetics. He currently teaches courses in Chinese language, literature, culture and film; and is working on the development of three new China-related courses.

Maria Tu, PhD, Faculty Coordinator of Mandarin Chinese Instruction

Dr. Tu is an assistant professor of Chinese, modern Chinese women’s literature, and world literature at the University of Delaware. Dr. Tu will oversee the intermediate and advanced level Mandarin Chinese classes, providing the students with reliable and knowledgeable advice. Since 1996 when she obtained her doctoral degree in comparative literature at the University of Georgia, Dr. Tu has taught Chinese, Chinese literature and philosophy, as well as comparative literature in various renowned universities in Taiwan and the United States, and has over the years acquired significant experience and excellence in teaching and research. She also has experience in teaching to diverse groups of individuals: continuing education adults, college students, and high school students, and is involved with the development of Chinese language education, recently serving as a consultant for the World Language of Connections course (focused on Mandarin Chinese) for Cecil County, Maryland.

Marion Bernard-Amos, DLS, MPA, Student Life Coordinator

Marion Bernard-Amos is is the Student Life Coordinator for the 2008 Governor’s School for Excellence in Chinese Language and Culture. She serves as Assistant Director in the University of Delaware's Center for International Studies with responsibilities for the foreign language study abroad programs. As a graduate from the University of the West Indies and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, she brings significant experience and excellence in teaching, leading, managing and organizational development to the Governor’s School; working with diverse groups including students (high school & college); working professionals and community leaders and organizers in her home country Jamaica and internationally. Currently she overseas 35 study abroad programs including the University of Delaware's winter session program to China.

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