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Cogdel Education Group and the Cultural and Education Section of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles Visit Saddleback College

Date：2026-03-16 Times：55

Recently, Mr. Wang Shu, Chairman of Cogdel Education Group, together with Mr. Huang Wei, Education Counselor with Minister Counselor Rank, and Ms. Yang Lijun, Consul from the Education Section of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, paid an on-site visit to Saddleback College in Southern California. The two sides held in-depth discussions on China-US people-to-people and cultural exchanges as well as education cooperation.

The delegation was warmly received by Mr. John Jaramillo, President of Saddleback College, Ms. Kathleen Lunetto and Ms. Lisa Inlow, Department Chairs, and Ms. Angela Yang, Director of International Programs.

As a key member of the California Community Colleges system, Saddleback College is a two-year public higher education institution with approximately 28,000 enrolled students, including around 400 international students, of whom over 50% are from China. As an important community education provider in Southern California, Saddleback College has long attracted a large number of Chinese students for study and exchange.

Demand from the Southern California Hospitality Industry

At present, the hotel and catering industry in Irvine and Newport Beach is witnessing a growing demand for international talents.

Saddleback College launched its Culinary Arts Program for International Students in August last year, which now has more than 70 international students. A number of local high-end restaurants have proactively contacted the college, expressing strong interest in recruiting graduates from this program.

The ATEP Campus of Saddleback College features modern teaching kitchens, a student-run café, and a student-operated restaurant, providing students with a real-world practical learning environment in the hospitality industry.

When Sichuan Cuisine Connects with Southern California Classrooms

Drawing on his years of experience in international education cooperation, Chairman Wang Shu noted that Chinese culinary culture, with its long history and rich systems, serves as an important bond for people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.

During a visit to the Cultural and Education Section of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles in October 2025, Chairman Wang shared with Counselor Huang Wei that Sichuan is one of China’s major cradles of food culture. Led by Sichuan Tourism University, local institutions boast a solid foundation in inheriting Sichuan culinary culture and developing hospitality education. Deepening exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and American institutions in culinary education would open new horizons for the international dissemination of Chinese food culture and talent cultivation. Counselor Huang Wei responded with positive attention and support.

This visit further advanced exchanges and cooperation between Saddleback College and Sichuan Tourism University, a strategic partner of Cogdel Education Group.

Mr. Wang Shu introduced to Saddleback College the extensive experience of Sichuan Tourism University in Sichuan cuisine research, talent development, and culinary culture communication.

As one of the earliest universities in China to offer hospitality and tourism education, Sichuan Tourism University could establish a Sichuan Cuisine Culture Center at Saddleback College for mutual learning and exchange, which would greatly promote interaction and understanding between Chinese and American youth.

Saddleback College warmly welcomed this proposal and looked forward to welcoming more Chinese students to its culinary arts programs. The college also expressed willingness to support its own students in studying culinary skills, participating in cultural exchanges, and attending relevant competitions in China.

Counselor Huang Wei stated that China and the United States enjoy broad cooperation potential in culinary culture and people-to-people exchanges.

Taking this visit as an opportunity to help more American students understand Chinese food culture and build a new platform for youth exchanges will help further enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and inject new vitality into China-US educational exchanges and cooperation.

The Education Section of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles will continue to follow and support bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

During the event, a number of educational institutions and current students also participated.

Chinese students Yang Fang and Wang Lin shared the support they received at the college:

Saddleback College provides not only Chinese teaching assistants, but also internship training, resume coaching, company visits and other support, helping them smoothly adapt to study and life in the United States.

This exchange has further deepened all parties’ understanding of China-US vocational education models and created a sound opportunity for Chinese and American institutions to carry out exchanges and cooperation in culinary education.

Going forward, Cogdel Education Group will continue to leverage its strengths in integrating international educational resources, act as a bridge and platform, and support Chinese and foreign institutions in exploring cooperation opportunities.

We are committed to building new pathways for the international cultivation of vocational education talents, and injecting new momentum into China-foreign educational exchanges and industrial development!