My name is Jiayi Zhou, and I am from Shanghai, China. Before attending Gallaudet University, I received my high school diploma in Shanghai’s Deaf Adult Professional Technical School, and an Associate of Arts diploma at Shanghai Institute of Technology. I am a well-known Deaf artist and have been recognised with artwork and writing awards. I have appeared on Shanghai television, Taiwan television, Chinese deaf websites, as well as in educational books and many other publications.
I graduated with a BA in May of 2009 with the President’s Summa Cum Laude honour at Gallaudet University. I am now a first-year graduate student in the International Development Programme. I have various work experience, including serving as a senior student assistant in the Multicultural Student Program (MSP), as a student assistant at the Centre for International Programs and Services (CIPS), and as a director/translator/interpreter for Partners in Excellence for International Development (a non-profit organization).
I love reading, travelling, meeting cool people, collecting abstract art, learning new things and working with diversity in collaborations. I look forward to learning more about deaf people in China in order to increase awareness about their identities, promote their quality of life and further protect their human rights.
