Galen Jiang, a Cal State Fullerton alum with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA, will be studying abroad in Beijing as CSUF’s first-ever Schwarzman Scholar. Jiang was selected for the prestigious and fully funded master’s program in global affairs at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University — one of the world’s top universities.
The Schwarzman Scholars program, created to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century, aims to build a community of future global leaders through academic study, cultural immersion and mentorship.
“I’m incredibly honored to be selected as the first Schwarzman Scholar from Cal State Fullerton,” said Jiang. “What I’m most looking forward to is immersing myself in China’s vibrant culture and gaining insight into how people from different backgrounds perceive and connect with it.”
With a professional background in the aviation industry and graduate studies in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford University, Jiang brings a multidisciplinary lens to global affairs. Her mission? To build stronger bridges between the U.S. and China, starting with civilian aviation.
“Aviation has always been more than transportation — it’s a gateway for people and ideas,” she explained. “I hope to contribute by shaping a future where this industry remains resilient, collaborative and focused on serving people.”
Jiang’s global mindset was shaped early on during her time at CSUF. She participated in study abroad programs in Germany, the Czech Republic, Mexico, France, England and China. These experiences sparked her interest in cross-cultural leadership.
“I believe that the best learning for me is through immersion,” she said. “Studying abroad taught me to approach challenges with empathy, open-mindedness and adaptability, which are elements I have carried into every step of my academic and professional journey.”
At CSUF, Jiang found a unique blend of technical and strategic training. “Engineering taught me to break down complex systems, while business helped me understand how people and organizations drive change — or hold it back.” After several years in the aerospace industry, Jiang pursued further studies at Stanford to deepen her understanding of innovation and global leadership.
When giving advice to fellow Titans, Jiang encourages students to embrace the unknown and be open to discovering new parts of themselves.
“You don’t need to have every answer figured out. What matters most is your willingness to grow and your ability to self-reflect,” she shared. “There’s no single mold for global leadership — just live your own path, but make sure you live it with purpose.”
She also emphasized the importance of community: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help because you’re not meant to do it all alone.”
As Jiang prepares to begin her studies in Beijing, she remains grounded in the values instilled by her mentors and family.
“I want to spend my life building better connections — between people, countries and disciplines,” she said. She plans to continue working toward a future where global air travel is more connected and safe, while also showing others that leadership can be collaborative, thoughtful and human.
“I’m deeply grateful to the mentors in the CSUF mechanical engineering department who believed in me, challenged me, and opened doors I didn’t even know existed — and to my family, whose quiet strength and sacrifices continue to ground and guide me, no matter how far I go.”
To learn more about study abroad opportunities for CSUF students, visit the Study Abroad & Global Engagement website.