China Center Staff

Joan Brzezinski is the executive director of the China Center. She joined the China Center in 1997, administering the China Center’s programs and activities. From 2008–2019, Joan also served as director of the Confucius Institute, developing professional development and cultural programs for schools and Mandarin instructors across the state. She is passionate about cross-cultural education, higher education exchanges, and building U.S.-China bridges to foster understanding and connect people in both countries. She holds a B.A. from Hamline University in East Asian history and a Master of International Management from the University of St. Thomas. In her roles in business and education, she has spent time in 30 of the 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Haiyan earned her bachelor's degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Fudan University in Shanghai. She then obtained two master's degrees: one in history from Stanford University and one in global and international studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Before she joined the China Center, she was the assistant director and lecturer in the China and Asia-Pacific Studies Program at Cornell University. With many years of experience in cross-cultural research, education, and project management, Haiyan is very pleased to become part of the China Center.  Along with the team, she will continue to promote U.S.-China exchange and collaboration through her expertise and passion.