Dr. Hannah Lin, assistant professor and coordinator of the Chinese Studies program at West Virginia University, has been named the J. Vance and Florence Highland Johnson assistant professor in the Department of Foreign Languages.

This summer, Lin accompanied a group of WVU students on a study abroad trip to Taiwan where they participated in the Chinese Language and Culture Immersion program. She wants to add to that academic mission, she said.

As a named professor, I would like to continue building and maintaining a vibrant Chinese Studies program at WVU ,Lin said.It is also important to provide services related to the teaching, promotion and understanding of the Chinese language, culture, and foreign language education, as a whole, to both the University and the community.

Enrollment in Chinese classes this year has doubled from 40 to 80, suggesting an increased interest in the culture at WVU , Lin said. Accordingly, she plans to develop the Chinese Studies major and minor curriculum and requirements while expanding the program with new courses. Shes looking ahead to the study abroad program for next year, too, as she has already visited two universities in China in recent months.

The U.S. State Department has designated the Chinese language critical to national prosperity and security,Lin said.Our goal is to build a high quality Chinese Studies program that will not only enrich our studentseducation in the humanities, but also help them to gain a competitive edge in todays work place.

Lin received her doctorate in Chinese Linguistics from Ohio State University, and taught at Princeton University and the University of California at Los Angeles before coming to WVU last fall.

For more information, contact Lin at huey.lin@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-5121.

The Department of Foreign Languages is part of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.