Dr. Shawn Chen

An advocate of lifelong learning, Dr. Shawn Chen's educational career began over 40 years ago and has been continuing ever since. It includes a Bachelor's Degree from Chongqing University in China, a Master's Degree in Education from Linfield College in the USA, an MBA from Willamette University, an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a Special Certificate Program from Harvard University (2005) designed specifically for university presidents. In 1997, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Education from the University for Humanistic Studies, in California. He also received Honorary Doctorates from the University of the Cordilleras, in the Philippines (2011), Caucasus University, in Georgia (2014), and Danubius University in Romania (2015). He is the President-Elect, Treasurer, and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP), the Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Association of Universities of Asia & the Pacific (AUAP), and is the Founder, and Chairman of the Board of Sias University.

Dr. Shawn Chen is the Chairman of the Sias Group, Inc., and in 1998, he founded Sias University. It is a university that has a unique educational philosophy that combines Chinese and Western education. It allows students and scholars to experience cultural exchanges in both Chinese and English, drawing on the educational resources of China and the West. Due to Dr. Chen's extensive contacts in educational and business circles, and with the support of several American universities, multinational corporations, and celebrities, Sias University has attracted a large number of Chinese and foreign scholars and professors, adopting advanced teaching content and methods to nurture the next generation of professionals that are needed for China's continued economic development. In addition to his contributions to China's higher education, Dr. Shawn Chen has also cooperated with the Zhengzhou Municipal Government to establish the 'Sias International School', the only international school in the province of Henan. The school mainly admits foreign children.

For his achievements in the development of education, Dr. Shawn Chen has won several awards from both Chinese and American institutions and government departments. Recent awards include those from the Provincial Government of Henan, the Zhengzhou Municipal Government, the Kansas State Government, and Governor, the Los Angeles City Government and Mayor, the Missouri Legislature, the Arizona State Government, and several more from universities and non-governmental organizations. Dr. Chen has focused on the relationship between education, the economy, and culture. As a 'Special Envoy of Talent' of the city of Zhengzhou, he has often led provincial and national government delegations from China to the United States on cultural and trade missions. He has also guided American enterprises to trade with and invest in China, including those from the California Cities Alliance. Dr. Chen is often invited to be a guest speaker by many organizations and universities including Stanford University and Peking University.

In 2011, Dr. Chen co-founded PnP (China), a subsidiary of the famous Plug and Play (PnP) venture capital incubation company in Silicon Valley, USA. He also served as its Executive Director. He has contributed to the development of entrepreneurship and innovation in China, introduced innovation, incubation, and well-known science & technology enterprises from Silicon Valley to China, and has established PnP incubation centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Suzhou, and Hangzhou.

Outstanding Contributor in the Education Industry in 2021

2019 Henan Outstanding Contribution to Education Award

Special Envoy of Zhengzhou Talent

Outstanding Contribution to Education Award

2018's Leading Person of Innovation in the Education Industry in the Central Plains

2018 Leader of the Education Industry in the Central Plains

2018's Most Influential Person in the Education Industry

2017 Outstanding Person of Social Influence in Education

10 Most Influential Men in Education in the Central Plains

2004 Yellow River Friendship Award

Shangdu Friendship Award

'Special Contribution Award' (from the Kansas State Government)

'Outstanding Youth Award' (from the United States Department of State)