Sweet Briar College, the liberal arts educational institution for women in Virginia, has entered into a partnership agreement with the National Center for Sustainable Development (NCSD), which is based in Washington, D.C. and Beijing, China. With its focus on sustainable development, NCSD will work in China to raise awareness of Sweet Briar College’s environmental science and environmental studies programs.
Under the agreement Sweet Briar College’s Women’s Leadership Program will host Chinese women students who will come to Virginia to study liberal arts and STEM disciplines. The Women’s Leadership Program will feature two summer sessions for Chinese students at a partner university in Washington, D.C., where women will explore U.S. government institutions, governmental history and political decision-making processes.
Phillip C. Stone, president of Sweet Briar College, said that “while in China, I was thrilled to learn of the enormous interest in women’s college education, even though higher education dedicated solely to women is rare. And there is recognition that while engineering, technology and science education is important, immersion in the humanities prepares young women for deeper, broader leadership. This will be especially important as tomorrow’s leaders navigate China’s relationship with the United States.”
The agreement will also help Sweet Briar College boost enrollments that took a hit after the college was faced with closing a year ago, only to be rescued by concerned alumnae.