Purdue graduate named prestigious Schwarzman Scholar

Jing Su
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University alumna Jing Su of Daqing, China, has been named a Class of 2018 Schwarzman Scholar. She is the first Boilermaker to join this prestigious international program and one of only 129 students from around the world to be selected.

The Schwarzman Scholars program develops high-achieving students’ leadership skills and professional networks through a one-year master’s degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing, one of China’s most prestigious universities. The scholarship is designed to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21^st century by giving future leaders a better understanding of China’s role in global trends. Schwarzman Scholars pursue degrees in economics and business, or international studies.

“It is a phenomenal opportunity to immerse myself into this global community of young leaders,” said Su, who earned her Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance from Purdue last May. “There is no doubt the world is rapidly changing, and China plays a key role in the process. I hope to smooth the change process by advancing cross-cultural collaboration while helping my home country and the world gain mutual understanding.”

Su will pursue a master’s degree in global affairs in China with an emphasis in economics and business.  She is particularly focused on the education inequality gap and exploring ways to help solve the challenge.

“I would like to learn how efforts from different levels of society can work together to change the lives of children left behind with extended family when their parents leave to work in the city and how social entrepreneurship could be a part of it,” Su added.  “My professional interests lie in the lives of the children and youth in developing regions and underprivileged communities.”

Purdue accounting Professor P.J. Hoffman said Su possesses a level of maturity rare for her age.

“I believe Jing’s most impressive trait is her earnest desire to be a mechanism of change for the better,” Hoffman said.  “Her maturity, along with an acute sense of duty and compassion for others, is driving Jing to make a meaningful impact on society. Having volunteered as a grade school teacher in China, Jing witnessed first-hand the disparity in educational opportunities and is committed to providing better access to education.”

Su currently works in risk assurance for PricewaterhouseCoopers, a multinational professional services firm focused on audit and assurance, tax and consulting services.

During her time as an undergraduate, Hoffman said Su developed a reputation for effective, results-oriented leadership. As an intern at Northwest Insurance Network in Chicago, she headed a team that created a new system for monthly premium payments.

Su lent her talents to a wide range of organizations on Purdue’s campus, from singing in the University Choir and performing with Purdue Musical Organizations, to assisting on cultural and translations programs at the Confucius Institute, mentoring students as a resident assistant and serving as teaching assistant for a management course in the Krannert Business School. She was also a head mentor in the Krannert Leadership Development Program.

“We are tremendously proud of Jing’s accomplishments and her deserving recognition as a Schwarzman Scholar,” said David Hummels, dean of the Krannert School. “She is a prime example of the type of leader we aspire to produce at Krannert. Her success in the classroom and her incredible extracurricular experiences have positioned Jing to have long-term success throughout her business career and to have great impact on the communities in which she will live.”

Rosanne Altstatt, assistant dean for national and international scholarships, praised Su’s leadership potential. “Purdue’s student body is a healthy mix of domestic and international students who are learning how to lead the 21^st century together,” said Altstatt. “Jing is a shining example of a Boilermaker who has proven herself to be a bridge toward a positive future. We are so pleased we could support her as she applied for Schwarzman Scholars.”

Students at Purdue apply for the Schwarzman Scholarship through the National and International Scholarships Office, which is housed in Purdue Honors College. NISO advises student-scholars as they prepare their applications. 

Writer: Lindsay Perrault, 765-494-8582, lindsayperrault@putdue.edu 

Contact: Howard Hewitt, 765-494-9541, hhewitt@purdue.edu 

Source: Rosanne Altstatt, 765-496-1303, altstatt@purdue.edu