From Community College to Top 50 to Top 10

By International Programs, October 29, 2019

At the end of August we saw the following Facebook post from one of our Alumni, Katherine Xing, "So, it is official now!! From CC to TOP 50, then to TOP 10. From Seattle to State College, then to New York. I am very thankful to have a family who supports me and friends who stay along the way. Proud to make this far and excited for a great future." 

We were so happy for her that we wanted to share her good news.

Chengcheng Xing (Katherine) is from China. She attended Green River College from June 2013 to June 2015.  She participated in the High School Completion and University Transfer Program. Kathrine said that Green River helped her with entry-level courses in different majors and gave her the opportunity to explore what she wanted to do.  She said, "My academic advisor gave me suggestions on scheduling and planning which strengthened my planning skills."  Her favorite memory was being a Peer Mentor and being able to give back to her GRC community.

After Green River, Katherine transferred to Pennsylvania State University where she got her B.S. in Hospitality Management and a Minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Hospitality Management Sector & Labor and Employment Relations.  She is now pursuing a Masters at Columbia University in Applied Analytics. 

Katerine has the following advice for incoming students:

1. Be open-minded and take the opportunity to explore your future.

2. Be prepared with your ideas and plannings before talking to your academic advisers. They are there to help, but all the decisions are yours.

3. Meet your professors outside class. They could be life-long resources and networks.

4. Explore Seattle!! Don't spend all your time around campus. Go out and meet new people!!