MCLA, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA.

"I received a great education from MCLA that laid the groundwork for me to succeed at law school. I use the skills I learned at MCLA, especially in the area of research and writing, on a daily basis and still speak with many of my former professors. It is not every school where you can create such a lasting bond with the professors and community. The strong community bond found at MCLA was a factor in my husband (Scott Lord ’98) and my decision to attend MCLA and our desire to remain involved with MCLA after graduation."

Buffy D. Lord ’98
Attorney, Donovan & O’Connor, LLP

Kailai Huang

By: Molly DiMuccio ’08

In 1993, Dr. Kailai Huang relocated from China to the United States to teach at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). Supported by his family, a bachelor’s degree from Hebei University, a master’s degree from Beijing Normal University, and his extensive knowledge of Chinese and world history and culture, he made a successful transition into American academia. Along the way, he earned his Ph.D. from State University of New York, Binghamton.

At MCLA, Dr. Huang offers many courses on Asian history. Some of his courses, such as “Pre-Modern Civilization,” are required courses for the history major.

He focuses primarily on Asian history and presents students with cultures and ways of life that are different from those they find familiar. In addition to teaching, he is shaping his research on U.S.-China relations into a book, Myth or Reality: American Business Opinion and the China Market.

Since 2001, Dr. Huang has offered spring break trips to China and Japan. In March, he led a group of 22 students and faculty members on a trip to Japan. This journey allowed students to experience a different and unfamiliar culture firsthand.

MCLA also offers students opportunities to travel to a country of their choice through the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS). In addition to these learning and travel opportunities, the College collaborates with Hebei University in Baoding, China, Dr. Huang’s alma mater. This program offers recent graduates and alumni the opportunity to teach English in China. Dr. Huang worked to facilitate these close ties and sees the profound impact they have had on both institutions. The program is very popular and currently five MCLA graduates are teaching at Hebei. Many MCLA students who participate in the program go on to work in international fields.

Dr. Huang encourages all students to “make their presence matter” while attending MCLA and take advantage of the opportunities available to them.

Molly, an English/Communications major, was a writing intern in the Advancement Office in the spring of 2008. message.