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Alice Yan

More than 40 years ago, he became the first person from his rural family to study at a university in China.
Four decades on he was appointed chancellor of UC Riverside, a prestigious school in the United States.
The story of S. Jack Hu, a Chinese-American who is the first individual with a bachelor’s education from mainland China to head a top US institution, has trended on social media, inspiring millions of internet users.
The 62-year-old Hu, whose Chinese name is Hu Shixin, hails from a village in Changde in central Hunan province.

He studied engineering machinery at Tianjin University in China, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1983.
Hu then pursued his study at the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering, from which he received his PhD in 1990.
After his graduation, he continued his research at the University of Michigan, joined the university faculty in 1995, receiving tenure in 1998.
From 2015 to 2019, Hu served as vice-president for research at the University of Michigan. After that, he worked as provost of the University of Georgia from 2019 to July 2025.
In 2021, Hu was listed among the global 20 most influential academics identified by the Michigan-based Smart Manufacturing magazine.
He began his appointment as the 10th chancellor of UC Riverside in July 2025.

As a successful scholar and university leader, Hu said the most difficult challenge lies in communicating with people, the Chinese we-media channel College Daily reported.
“How to communicate with people from different backgrounds, how to let others trust you, how to let yourself be regarded as one of them in an environment you are not familiar with, you cannot learn these things from a textbook. No one teaches you,” Hu was quoted as saying.
He said he had to observe things carefully and imitate the way other people dressed, made speeches and socialised.
“I will take the initiative to watch sporting events. It is because on many occasions, what people chat about is not work, but their common interest. Such trivial details decide whether you can integrate into their circle,” he added.
Since College Daily is a media outlet targeting overseas Chinese students, Hu emboldens them amid the background of the US federal government tightening visa screening for Chinese students and cutting budgets for public institutions.
“I came to America more than 40 years ago as a student, with only a small suitcase. You are who I was 40 years ago,” he said.
“Today, students from around the world still aspire for America. We should still embrace and support them because they will not only help science and education develop, but also will make positive contributions to American society.”

“It is my hope that Chinese students will continue to feel welcome in the US and experience the same life-changing opportunity I experienced,” said Hu.
He said he is aware that Chinese students come under severe pressure at secondary school and reminded them that in US universities no one pushes students to study.
“It is your own initiative as far as studying is concerned that decides how far you can go,” said Hu.
One online observer said: “Congratulations to my Hunan fellow.”
“He works hard on each step. I should learn from him to spare no effort,” said another person.


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Trending in China

Chinese man makes history as first educator from mainland university to lead top US institute

Jack Hu was appointed chancellor of UC Riverside in 2025, making history as the first China-educated Chinese person to lead a first-class university in the United States. Photo: SCMP composite/Tianjin University/IG@ucriversideofficial

S. Jack Hu, above, was born into a village family in rural China.  Photo: Courtesy of UGA

UC President James Milliken, presents UCR Chancellor S. Jack Hu with the Chancellor’s Medal during the latter’s formal investiture. Photo: Courtesy of UCR

Hu at work on his much-lauded engineering research. Photo: Courtesy of Chinese Academy of Engineering

China live-streams expose minors undergoing harsh training designed for ‘rebellious youth’

Live-streams from mainland China have shown minors in camouflage uniforms undergoing harsh training, with programmes for “rebellious youth” costing up to US$20,000 monthly. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Youngsters take part in group training during a summer camp in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

A boy climbs a ladder at a military summer camp for senior secondary school pupils in China. Photo: Xinhua

Pupils enjoying games during a summer camp in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua 

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The Devil Wears Prada 2 has been criticised for offending China by introducing a character named “Chin Chou”, which some say resembles the derogatory term “Ching Chong.” Photo: SCMP composite/IMDb/YouTube/IG@dip_magazine

Actresses Meryl Streep, left, and Anne Hathaway pose after receiving gifts during a recent press conference to promote the film in South Korea. Photo: AP

Hathaway, left, Streep, centre and actor Stanley Tucci pictured together. Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

The controversial character, above, played by Chinese-American actress Helen J. Shen in a still from the film. Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

In this photograph, the character Jin Chao appears alongside Hathaway. Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

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An online challenge in which people climb lamp posts cross-legged has gone viral in China, with participants often looking foolish by becoming stuck. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote

One woman, above, found herself unable to uncross her legs wrapped around the pole and had to be rescued by an emergency crew. Photo: Sina

The man above tried to execute the cross-legged challenge on a pole in a playpark. Photo: Sina

The woman above appears to be happy with her attempt. It is unclear if she was able to uncross her legs.  Photo: Sina

The so-called ice-bucket challenge, above, went global a few years ago. Photo: Shutterstock

China influencer tricked into Cambodia cyber scam recounts ordeal but live-stream was cut short

Chinese influencer Umi who was tricked into telecom fraud while in Cambodia, recounted her ordeal in a recent live-stream that was cut short.  Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/RedNote

Umi, above, was found near a Cambodian hotel, looking gaunt and dirty, holding a CAT scan and suffering from a leg injury. Photo: RedNote

Gradually, Umi resumed her social media and live-streaming activities. She revealed she was forced into “keyboard work,” a term linked to telecom fraud, shortly after being lured to Cambodia. Photo: RedNote

Cyber scam operations in Southeast Asia have surged, with a UN report estimating about 300,000 people from 66 countries, including China, trafficked into fraud rings in the region. Photo: Reuters/Soveit Yarn

Chinese New Year bamboo greeting cards date back over 2,000 years to Han dynasty

Chinese New Year greeting cards date back over 2,000 years to the Han dynasty. They were initially made of bamboo and later paper. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu/Weibo

A Chinese New Year greeting card made of bamboo from ancient times, above. Photo: QQ.com

As methods of sending developed over time, paper greetings, like the one above, became popular.   Photo: QQ.com

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Young man from rural village who arrived in the US with a single suitcase ‘imitated’ others to fit in; says America is still place to aspire to


Young man from rural village who arrived in the US with a single suitcase ‘imitated’ others to fit in; says America is still place to aspire to.


Education

Tianjin University (China)

University of Michigan

Chinese man makes history as first educator from mainland university to lead top US institute

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Young man from rural village who arrived in the US with a single suitcase ‘imitated’ others to fit in; says America is still place to aspire to

Young man from rural village who arrived in the US with a single suitcase ‘imitated’ others to fit in; says America is still place to aspire to