Press Release

STRANAHAN APPOINTED UNITED BOARD’S PRESIDENT

The United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia appointed Dr. Patricia Stranahan as the President from January 2006.

Dr. Stranahan brings a wealth of knowledge of Asia, especially China, to her new position, as well as expertise in higher education, experience in managing multi-unit organizations, and administrative and fundraising skills. Her academic specialty is Chinese political history; her professional experience includes academic management and administration, teaching, and both funding and fundraising for international programs. Having served most recently as a research associate at the Fairbank Center of Harvard University, she previously served as provost and dean of the faculty of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, interim vice president for academic affairs at Chatham College, director of the Asian studies program and professor of history at the University of Pittsburgh, and executive director of the Committee for Scholarly Communications with China. She has also served on the faculties of Texas A&M University, the University of Pittsburgh, Swarthmore College, and Grinnell College. She received her undergraduate degree from Westminster College in history and a Ph. D. from the University of Pennsylvania in Oriental Studies. She also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Announcing Dr. Stranahan’s appointment, Dr. Light noted, “The United Board has made tremendous strides under Dr. Wood’s leadership. We’re looking forward to consolidating these developments, which have greatly increased the United Board’s effectiveness, as we move ahead with new program directions and expanding initiatives, while facilitating ever-increasing participation by Asia’s leaders in higher education in global discussions about educational issues as equal partners. Our programs have expanded so rapidly and successfully that continuing to seek new sources of funding will be a priority under Dr. Stranahan’s leadership.”

The United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia is a non-profit agency with offices in both New York and Hong Kong whose mission is to support a Christian presence in Asia’s academic communities, both Christian and secular. Its programs emphasize support of academic and institutional excellence and professional training for Asia’s academic leaders. Organized in the early 1920's to provide coordinated support to Protestant colleges in China, the United Board now works in collaborative, ecumenical partnership with Protestant, Catholic, and secular colleges and universities in Cambodia, China, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Operating as both a grant-making and programmatic organization, the United Board works cooperatively with other organizations that share its goals, including denominations, academic institutions, and foundations, and focuses on broad, comprehensive programs that respond to the challenges and diversity of Asia. Its programs are funded through contributions from individuals, denominations, churches, foundations, alumni of related institutions in Asia, and the income from its endowment.