Changing Perceptions: Dr. Jia-Yi Cheng-Levine on Community Colleges & Global Student Mobility

Community colleges are often misunderstood outside of the U.S.—frequently not recognized as a legitimate pathway to a bachelor’s degree. Before she could recruit in Taiwan, Dr. Jia-Yi Cheng-Levine, Dean of International Affairs & Global Engagement at College of the Canyons, had to launch a campaign to educate key stakeholders in Taiwan and elsewhere—government officials, parents, and agencies—about the U.S. community college model.In this episode, Dr. Cheng-Levine shares how she became a recognized thought leader in Taiwan, making many appearances on national TV to shift perceptions, and how patience, persistence, and authenticity were essential to branding and recruitment success.She is joined by Ben Waxman, CEO of INTEAD, who provides economic insights on the future of international student mobility, pointing out that the number of students studying abroad will double from 5 million to 10 million in the coming years—but with fewer financial resources on average. Together, they explore why community colleges may be one “secret weapon” in expanding access.Key Topics:Taiwan’s government push for nationwide bilingualism by 2030.Why branding in target markets takes 18–24 months at minimum in international education.The 1+1=2 model at College of the Canyons: blending online foundational study with U.S. campus enrollment to lower costs and increase access.Shifting from enrollment targets to a student-centered mission: “How can education change your life?”📌 Episode Highlights“We don’t just focus on getting 10 more students for the fall—we ask: how can education change your life?” – Dr. Jia-Yi Cheng-Levine🎙️ EdUp International Podcast, Season 3, Episode 1#EdUpInternational #CommunityColleges #HigherEd #StudyAbroad #GlobalEd