Moments at WKU: Jing Ma on Teaching, Growth and the Power of Encouragement

Wenzhou-Kean University recognizes faculty and staff members who have completed ten years of service. Through Moments at WKU, a series featuring recipients of the university’s 2026 Ten-Year Service Award, we share the stories of those who have grown alongside WKU, reflecting on their career choices, perseverance, challenges and achievements.

In the first installment, we speak with Jing Ma, a tenured associate professor in the College of Business and Public Management, about her decision to join WKU, how the university has shaped her teaching philosophy, and the role encouragement can play in a student’s growth.

In 2017, Ma made a career move that would reshape her professional path. After eight years of teaching at a university specializing in finance and economics that was part of China’s former Project 211 initiative, she left a secure position to join WKU, then a newly established university. For Ma, the decision was about more than changing jobs. It was an opportunity to embrace a different educational philosophy and explore new possibilities in her career.

“I saw a strong connection between the university’s educational philosophy and my own aspirations,” she said.

Ma moved to Wenzhou in August 2017 and officially joined WKU the following month. At the time, the campus was still under construction. Only a few buildings were in use, the College of Business and Public Management building had yet to be completed, and many administrative and academic processes were still taking shape.

Over the years, Ma has witnessed WKU’s development firsthand while finding new opportunities to challenge herself and broaden her horizons.

chatting with the student

In 2017, Ma made a career move that would reshape her professional path. After eight years of teaching at a university specializing in finance and economics that was part of China’s former Project 211 initiative, she left a secure position to join WKU, then a newly established university. For Ma, the decision was about more than changing jobs. It was an opportunity to embrace a different educational philosophy and explore new possibilities in her career.

“I saw a strong connection between the university’s educational philosophy and my own aspirations,” she said.

Ma moved to Wenzhou in August 2017 and officially joined WKU the following month. At the time, the campus was still under construction. Only a few buildings were in use, the College of Business and Public Management building had yet to be completed, and many administrative and academic processes were still taking shape.

Over the years, Ma has witnessed WKU’s development firsthand while finding new opportunities to challenge herself and broaden her horizons.

with Jinze Yu, a former student who now works in the Netherlands

For Ma, learning also means becoming comfortable with uncertainty and developing the confidence to find one’s own way forward.

That belief is reflected in her interactions with students. One student had left medical school before enrolling at WKU and struggled with self-doubt as she began her undergraduate studies. Ma encouraged her, helped her participate in research projects and urged her to attend academic conferences. Today, the student is working in the Netherlands with greater confidence in her abilities.

“Sometimes, a teacher’s understanding and encouragement can make a real difference in a student’s journey,” Ma said. “That is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching.”

Ma has witnessed similar growth among other WKU students. Some arrive with relatively modest scores on China’s national college entrance examination but go on to make significant academic progress and gain admission to leading universities around the world.

For Ma, these experiences demonstrate the importance of giving students room to grow. An entrance examination score does not define a student’s future, nor does a difficult start determine how far they can go. With the right support and opportunities, students can discover strengths they may not have recognized in themselves.

WKU’s diverse academic community has also broadened Ma’s own outlook. The university brings together more than 300 faculty and staff members from 46 countries and regions, creating opportunities for people with different backgrounds and experiences to learn from one another.

Outside the classroom, conversations with international colleagues have encouraged Ma to step beyond her comfort zone. Hearing about their experiences with activities such as skydiving and bungee jumping has prompted her to reconsider her own limits. Although she is somewhat afraid of heights, she has become more willing to challenge herself and try new things.

She has also participated in faculty clubs and activities, including gardening, tai chi and dragon boat racing. These experiences have enriched her life beyond teaching and research, while broadening her perspectives and introducing her to new interests.

participating in dragon boat team training

Reflecting on her years at WKU, Ma sums up her journey in three phrases: staying true to her original aspirations, growing alongside the university, and moving forward together through challenges and change.

Over the past decade, Ma has found answers to many of the questions that once occupied her, but she remains convinced that learning and exploration never truly end. Her journey at WKU has been one of mutual growth, shaped by challenges, new experiences and the opportunity to help students discover their potential. As the university continues to evolve, she looks forward to continuing that journey in the years ahead.

English translation: Chenyang Shi