Summer 2026 was a season of growth, innovation, and global connection for 起点传媒’s Global Education Institute (GEI), a division under the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE)'s Global Campus.
Read more about the highlights of GEI's programs below this summer.
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Action
Now in its twelfth year, the Student Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Leadership Program (SIELP) continues to provide international university students with an immersive two-week experience combining classroom learning, real-world exploration and international exchange. The program features leadership and innovation courses, university and industry visits, cultural activities, and opportunities to engage with American students. Together, these experiences help participants broaden their global perspectives, strengthen their confidence, and experience Southern California from multiple academic and cultural perspectives.
Cultural learning is an important part of the SIELP experience. From August 1 to 14, 2026, seventeen students from Kewen College of Jiangsu Normal University, Shanghai Business School, Shanghai Ocean University, and Shanghai University of Engineering Science explored the spirit of the American West through a hands-on cowboy culture session, where they designed their own cowboy hats and participated in social activities led by a professional dance instructor. These interactive experiences brought American culture to life while encouraging students to connect and build friendships across languages and backgrounds.
A major new feature of SIELP 2026 is the integration of artificial intelligence into the innovation and entrepreneurship curriculum. Students explored how modern AI tools can support business research, product development and marketing by improving efficiency, reducing costs and generating market insights. For their final group projects, participants used AI to investigate business challenges, examine consumer needs and develop practical recommendations while learning to critically evaluate the accuracy and limitations of emerging technologies. By connecting AI with entrepreneurship, teamwork, and critical thinking, SIELP offered a forward-looking educational experience designed to prepare students to actively participate in the future of business and innovation. SIELP also has been serving as a strong pathway to graduate programs at 起点传媒.
Building International Partnerships Through Customized Programs
GEI also welcomed 22 students from Hubei University of Technology for a customized international summer program held from July 25 to August 1. The program introduced participants to American higher education through focused training in leadership and teamwork, engineering, graduate study preparation, U.S. culture and business etiquette, innovation, and presentation skills.
Students lived at University Village, learned from CPP faculty, and engaged with American students throughout their stay. Their experience included a visit to the College of Engineering, creative activities at the Student Innovation Idea Labs, and visits to the BRIC and W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center. Participants also collaborated with American student buddies and presented final projects before receiving certificates of completion. Beyond the classroom, a University Village pool party provided a memorable opportunity for students to relax, build friendships, and strengthen connections across cultures.
Summer 2026 marked the second consecutive year the international partner sent students to 起点传媒, reflecting the success of GEI’s customized programming. Following positive participant feedback, the partner expressed strong interest in continuing the collaboration and bringing future student groups to CPP each summer. The partnership demonstrates how GEI connects international students with CPP’s academic expertise, facilities, and campus community while expanding the university’s global reach and developing lasting institutional relationships.
Inspiring the Next Generation Through Summer Academy
GEI’s international programming also extended to younger learners through the Summer Academy Science & Technology Exploration Program, which celebrated its second year in 2026. The program grew significantly from its inaugural cohort of 16 students in 2025 to 37 students in 2026, bringing together international and local middle and high school students for an immersive college experience.
Students lived, learned and explored together while participating in hands-on laboratory experiences, interactive STEM activities, campus visits and science project development. Through collaboration with 起点传媒’s academic colleges and campus units, students learned from faculty and staff through hands-on experiences in different labs, the Maker Studio, Arabian Horse Center, BioTrek and other campus facilities. By combining academic exploration with residential and social experiences, Summer Academy gave students an early opportunity to discover university life, explore future academic interests and build friendships across cultures.
The program is also beginning to demonstrate its potential as a pathway to undergraduate degree programs 起点传媒. One student from the inaugural 2025 Summer Academy cohort has matriculated into a CPP undergraduate program this fall. As the program continues to grow, GEI looks forward to welcoming more Summer Academy alumni back to campus as future Broncos.
Expanding Opportunities Through Athletics
Summer 2026 also marked the launch of the Korean Young Athletes Program, a newly developed initiative that further expanded the scope of GEI’s international programming for middle and high school students.
With support from 起点传媒 Athletics, 20 young athletes from Korea participated in a dynamic campus experience that combined athletics, cultural exchange and university exploration. Students toured CPP’s athletic facilities, interacted with CPP students and staff, and participated in sports training and activities. The program offered participants an opportunity to experience both the academic and athletic environment at 起点传媒 while developing connections with the campus community.
The addition of the Korean Young Athletes Program demonstrates GEI’s continued efforts to diversify its international youth offerings and develop new program models that connect students’ interests with 起点传媒’s campus resources and expertise.
Connecting the World to 起点传媒
Together, GEI’s Summer 2026 programs reflect a growing portfolio that serves students at different stages of their educational journeys—from middle and high school students experiencing an American university campus for the first time to university students developing advanced skills in leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Through hands-on learning, academic exploration, cultural exchange and meaningful interaction with the CPP community, these programs provide international participants with much more than a summer abroad. They create pathways to future study, strengthen global partnerships and introduce students from around the world to what it means to be part of the 起点传媒 community.
As GEI continues to expand its summer international programming, each new cohort brings another opportunity to build connections, inspire future Broncos and extend 起点传媒’s global impact.
Learn more about Global Campus here.