When 44 Chinese students stepped onto Troy University’s campus in August 2001, they carried with them the beginnings of something far larger than a degree. Their arrival marked the start of the Sino-American 1+2+1 Dual Degree Program, a partnership that has since transformed not only individual lives, but also the global profile of TROY.

Launched in 2001 through a partnership with the China Center for International Educational Exchange, Troy University was the first U.S. institution to welcome students into what would become known as the 1+2+1 model. The innovative program allows students from partner Chinese universities to complete their first year of study in China, spend two years at an American partner institution and then return home to finish their final year. Graduates receive degrees from both universities.

“The establishment of the Sino-American Dual Degree Program was born of need and created at the request of the government in Beijing,” said Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “We were honored to be the first American university to participate in the collaborative effort. The innovation of the program reflects TROY’s position as ‘Alabama’s International University.’ We are proud of that distinction.”

The program’s success at TROY quickly drew national attention. In 2004, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) adopted the TROY-led model and expanded it to dozens of campuses across the country. Today, nearly 130 Chinese universities and 39 American universities participate, with more than 3,000 students having taken part.

In 2016, the program was restructured to establish specialized International Cohort Programs (ICPs) rather than recruiting individual students across various disciplines. Cohort classes have included financial economics (Jiangsu University of Technology), graphic design (Changzhou Institute of Technology) and general business and environmental science (Ludong University). Recent agreements with Nanyang Normal University and Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics added computer science and accounting to the roster.

“This program has been truly transformational for TROY,” said Sohail Agboatwala, Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. “The connections made through this program on both sides, students and administrators, have served us well and allowed the region to gain a better understanding of the benefits of people-people relationships.”

This Fall, psychology students arrived from Minnan Normal University. Ilanna, a student from the Guangdong Province, said she’s looking forward to studying at TROY and seeing as much as she can in the United States.

“I’m so interested in psychology, and I think studying in a different country will give me a unique experience,” she said. “I want to connect more with different cultures, and the 1+2+1 Program is a great platform to meet different people. I’m excited to travel and see the different cities in the United States, and just a little bit nervous about the new foods. This experience is a big challenge for me because it’s far from home, but it will make me more independent.”

The program’s impact extends well beyond academics. Students immerse themselves in American culture and language, forging lifelong connections.

Xixi Xiao graduated from the program in 2017. Originally from Guangxi, China, she now lives between London and Shanghai—and many cities in between—as a freelance artist showcasing at global festivals. She said being a part of this program was a “lifechanging experience.”

“I was lucky to have met amazing staff in TROY who encouraged me during my undergraduate study,” she said. “The International Student Cultural Organization at TROY helped build such a solid foundation for my future career as a global artist. ISCO opened the possibility for me to meet people from all over the world with such different backgrounds, and it’s from this experience I learned to celebrate differences and cultivated communication skills within a multicultural context.”

For faculty members, the program offers a chance to see students grow across multiple stages of their academic journeys. Austin Deal, Assistant Director of China Operations, teaches English to freshmen in China before supporting them at TROY, described the experience as deeply rewarding.

“Working with Chinese students and faculty has truly been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career,” he said. “Seeing them walk across the stage during their graduation ceremony back in China is incredibly fulfilling—it’s a powerful moment knowing I played a part in their academic journey and personal development.”

Graduates gather in different cities throughout China June to celebrate their achievements at the official 1+2+1 commencement ceremony. This summer’s event in Beijing marked the program’s 25th anniversary and 22nd graduation ceremony, with Troy University receiving multiple honors, including the Outstanding Contribution Award and a Special Honorary Award.

Faculty leaders were also recognized for their roles in shaping the program’s success. Dr. Hawkins was awarded a Special Honorary Award, Deal received an Excellence Award and Xiaojuan (Silvia) Li, Director of China Operations, received an Outstanding Contribution Award.

“The awards are well-deserved recognitions for TROY, and I’m honored to play a part of such a dynamic program,” Li said. “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our team and the International Programs office, who work tirelessly on the China trips and service to our students, we are confident in our ability to overcome any future challenges. I am grateful for the support from each academic department and look forward to developing more ICPs in more areas to further support student recruitment and retention on the Troy Campus.” 

From its beginnings with 44 students in 2001 to its place today as the model for an international program of distinction, Troy University’s leadership in the 1+2+1 program underscores its commitment to bringing the world to Troy—and taking TROY to the world.