Ivy Chai helps build Binghamton’s network in China
2020 graduate looks to connect alumni
Just three years into her professional career, Xinyu “Ivy” Chai ’20 is a portfolio manager for a private equity management fund company in Guangzhou, China. Among other projects, Chai is overseeing the renovation and eventual sale of condominiums in which her employer has invested 800 million renminbi (RMB).
Chai, a native of China, attended high school in Wisconsin while living with a host family and chose Binghamton because of its high ranking, even though she was intrigued about going to New York and attending Pace University. Chai remembers Binghamton as a place where she experienced a stellar education and felt faculty cared for her. In particular, she credits Linda Sukarat, director of the English Language Institute, and Mark Reisinger, associate professor of geography.
“Mark told me, ‘You don’t need to be an A student to show how successful you are. There are many ways to achieve success, and academics are just one aspect,’” Chai says. “Linda always checked on me in terms of academics and student life. Whenever I felt sad or had any issues, she was always there to offer hugs and support.”
After graduating from Binghamton and returning to China, she was eager to keep the University connections going, but there weren’t any groups or meetups.
“I noticed other universities with big alumni systems in China, so I wondered why we couldn’t have one too,” Chai says. “I felt I had to do something. Because I was in the Chinese Students and Scholars Association for four years, I had organized numerous events and met many people, so I gathered my old e-board members and we planned for a whole year, then held a party in Shanghai.”
The result of that effort is the Alumni Association’s network in China. The alumni communicate regularly via WeChat groups and events have taken place in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing.
“Alumni would always bring up memories about Binghamton, such as professors, dormitories, classes and different things they did [on campus]. After our parties, alumni working in the same city would hang out together on weekends. I hope one day we can connect with alumni who are strong influencers and can bring Binghamton into everyone’s sight.”