Graduates Earn Two Prestigious Master’s Degrees
For Denise Si Rui Tan, graduate school often felt like a marathon—daunting, intense, and exhausting. But by the end of her journey earning two master’s degrees in two different cultures, she was forever changed.
“The friendships, late-night group projects, and even the Chicago winters taught us resilience and reminded us of the power of community,” Tan said during the 2024 Master of Science in Social and Economic Policy convocation ceremony at Northwestern University.
“It was a journey that tested us academically, emotionally, and personally,” she continued. “But the challenges didn’t break us. They gave us insight, experience, and a global perspective. They reminded us of the power of not giving up, even when it was tempting.”
Tan and 59 other members of the Class of 2024 recently crossed the stage at Northwestern’s Ryan Family Auditorium to collect their diplomas, becoming the world’s third cohort to earn a dual master’s degree in applied economics and social and economic policy.
Jointly designed by Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy and The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Department of Economics, the rigorous program—created in 2020 amid a global pandemic and heightened international tensions—was developed to address the growing demand for leaders who understand economics and policy from multiple perspectives.
Students study both in Asia and the U.S., taking courses that emphasize interdisciplinary thinking and international relations. After graduation, they pursue careers as economic analysts, researchers, policymakers, doctoral students, and more.
“The policies and ideas that you drive will have significant consequences, not only for you in the moment, but for the next generation and beyond,” Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy, dean of the School of Education and Social Policy, told the purple-gowned graduates.
“It’s a tremendous honor but also a serious responsibility that requires care and thoughtfulness," he added. "Take those opportunities and make the most of them. Turn them into possibility."
The adventure begins in Hong Kong
Seventeen months ago, the students first gathered in Sha Tin, Hong Kong, where they forged friendships and took quantitative courses taught by award-winning faculty from both the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Northwestern.
After 10 months in Hong Kong, the Class of 2024 arrived on Northwestern’s Evanston campus in May for additional social policy coursework at the nation’s fifth-ranked school of education.
As part of the curriculum, they attended alumni panels, career workshops, and job talks. Beyond the classroom, they enjoyed professional sporting events, restaurants, and museums. Some even went sightseeing, traveling to places like Yellowstone National Park and Los Angeles.
“The world is evolving at lightning speed,” said Michelle Yin, co-director of the Dual Master’s Degree program and an associate professor at the School of Education and Social Policy. “New technologies are emerging, and fresh challenges seem to pop up everywhere. Through it all, you’ve stayed curious, kept asking ‘what if,’ and proved you are ready to tackle what comes next.”
“You didn’t just memorize formulas,” Yin added. “You learned how to connect the dots. You learned to think critically about issues that matter and to work with people who don’t always see things the same way.”
The ceremony also featured remarks from Douzhe Li, co-director of the Dual Master’s Degree Program and an associate professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, who emphasized the importance of using a global perspective to “embrace differences, build effective channels for communication, and develop solutions.”
In addition to Tan, student speakers included Jiake “Catherine” Xie, winner of a Distinguished Student Service Award, and Yonghao Ma.
“What made this program special wasn’t just what we learned but the people we shared it with,” Ma said. “From group projects to cultural exchanges, the bonds we built here will last a lifetime.”
Reflecting on his journey, Ma noted that Evanston held a special place in his heart. “This quiet town next to Lake Michigan, with its clean streets and breathtaking views, reminds us of beauty in its simplicity,” he said.
He also thanked his classmates for being there “not just in the big moments but in the complex, small ones that truly made this journey. And thank you to Northwestern for being the backdrop to one of the most transformative times in our lives.”
Student Awardees:
- Academic Excellence Award: Yuchen Song
- Distinguished Student Service Award: Jake "Catherine" Xie, Hao Liang
- Excellence in Professional Development Award: Jiapeng “Simon” Xie, Yizhe Huang
Faculty Awards and Nominations:
- Excellence in Teaching Award: Ofer Malamud
- Innovation Award: Scott Ogawa
- Applied Learning Award: Mischa Fisher, John Olson