Hong Kong Student Who Earned 10 A's Now Leads Northwestern

The boy who struggled with Cantonese and English when he moved to Hong Kong at age 11 is now making history as the leader of one of America's most prestigious universities.

Mung Chiang will become the 18th president of Northwestern University on July 1, marking the first time an Asian American has led the Illinois institution in its 175 years. He arrived in Hong Kong from Tianjin in the mid-1980s and attended Queen's College, where something remarkable happened.

In 1995, Chiang scored 10 straight A's in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, becoming one of the city's top scorers. The following year, he was named the South China Morning Post's Student Linguist of the Year.

When asked about his success in a 1996 interview, Chiang was humble. He said hard work and enthusiasm made the difference, along with unwavering support from his parents and teachers who provided "real inspiration."

At 18, Chiang moved to Stanford University, where he earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering. He joined Princeton University in 2003 and became one of the institution's youngest chair professors during his 14 years there.

In 2017, he became dean of engineering at Purdue University before rising to university president in 2023. His research focuses on network optimization, Internet of Things technology, and smart data pricing.

Why This Inspires

Chiang's journey shows how belief in education and hard work can transform lives across continents. A student who once struggled with language barriers grew into a world-class educator championing free expression and preparing universities for the future.

His influence now extends beyond academia. He served as a science and technology adviser to the US secretary of state in 2020, launching important tech diplomacy initiatives. He currently chairs the US Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation and serves on the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee's board.

Northwestern University, which ranks seventh among national universities in America, described Chiang as a leader focused on protecting the freedom to seek truth. The university's motto, "Whatsoever things are true," guides his vision for its future.

In his statement accepting the role, Chiang said this is the moment to advance the freedom to seek truth and take a Northwestern direction toward the future.

His story reminds us that the struggles we face today can become the foundation for the impact we make tomorrow.