Four Appalachian State University students will attend Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) on scholarship during the Fall 2021 term.
The students — Trey Farid, Michelle Jeanniton-Garrett, Melissa Moore, and Kaylyn Posada — are recent graduates of Appalachian’s Walker College of Business.
Trey Farid
Accounting graduate Trey Farid will pursue a Master of Accountancy.
Michelle Jeanniton-Garrett
MBA graduate Michelle Jeanniton-Garrett will pursue a Master’s of Applied Accounting and Finance.
Melissa Moore
Hospitality and tourism graduate Melissa Moore will study in the Master of Science in Business Management Program. The degree is similar to a Master of Business Administration.
Kaylyn Posada
International business major Kaylyn Posada will study in the Master of Human Resource Management Program.
This will make a total of nine students from Appalachian who have earned scholarships to work toward a HKBU master’s degree. Jason Hopkins and Christian Honaker earned scholarships in 2020; Kali Smith, Reed Morris and Charles Hearst earned scholarships in 2019.
“This is a great accomplishment for our students as these scholarships are limited and competitively awarded based on merit,” said Dr. Michael Young, an associate professor in the Department of Management “In fact, this year they had more applicants than ever so the fact that we captured four is amazing!”
Dr. Young worked in Hong Kong for 19 years before joining Appalachian’s faculty. His efforts have been pivotal in establishing the App State connection with HKBU.
"App State students are gaining a reputation as gregarious, earnest and creative students -- exactly what HKBU is seeking for these scholarships,” said Dr. Young. “This reputation increases the attractiveness of future scholarship applicants."
The scholarships were created as part of an effort to increase diversity in the HKBU student body, similar to inclusive excellence initiatives taking place at Appalachian.
According to Dr. Young, the students will be joining scholarship recipients from all over the world and will serve as informal ambassadors representing the United States. More than 90% of their classmates will be from mainland China and Hong Kong.
“With a full tuition waiver for each student, plus a living stipend for three of the awardees, these students will be supported financially as they gain international experience — and AACSB-accredited master’s-level preparation — in one of the world’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities,” said Dr. Young.
"Studying in Hong Kong places these students at a vital hub of political and economic issues and gives them a front row seat to history in the making. Any living abroad experience expands one’s perspective in ways that few other experiences can,” says Dr. Marty Meznar, Associate Dean for Global & Civic Engagement in the Walker College of Business, “ and we look forward to seeing where this opportunity will lead for these outstanding students.”
Hong Kong Baptist University
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) is one of eight publicly-funded universities in Hong Kong. The HKBU School of Business is triple accredited by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. It was ranked as one of the top 25 Asian Business Schools by the Financial Times in 2018 and the Master of Science in Business Management was ranked 8th in the region and among the world’s top 100 Master’s in International Management Programmes.
In addition, Hong Kong is in the center of one of the most economically dynamic regions in the world: Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Korea and mainland China are cheap and convenient weekend travel destinations.
Interested in applying?
If you are considering earning a master’s degree and are open to adventure and international experiences, consider applying for one of the full-ride scholarships to HKBU. The admissions process will begin in November 2021 for the 2022-23 academic year. More information can be found on HKBU’s website, https://bus.hkbu.edu.hk/eng/bus/main/prospective-students/index.jsp.
About International Programs with Appalachian's Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business encourages students to study abroad and provides a variety of short-term international programs designed to develop international business skills and intercultural knowledge. These faculty-led programs have proven to be invaluable for many students. Scholarships are available. Fluency in a second language is not required and students can earn credit toward their degree. For more information on future opportunities, please contact Global & Civic Engagement Specialist Meredith Church Pipes, churchmm@appstate.edu, or visit international.business.appstate.edu.
Four students earn scholarship for graduate study in Hong Kong
From left are Farid, Jeanniton-Garrett, Moore and Posada