Recent University of Richmond Graduate Shea Henderson Awarded Boren Scholarship to Study Mandarin in Taiwan

May 10, 2023

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Shea Henderson, a recent University of Richmond graduate, has received a competitive Boren scholarship to study abroad in Taiwan.

An initiative of the National Security Education Program, Boren Scholars study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Recipients commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

Henderson, a business administration major and Chinese studies minor, from West Hartford, Connecticut, graduated from UR May 7. He plans to study Mandarin during the 2023–24 academic year through the International Chinese Language Program offered at National Taiwan University.

“This opportunity will allow me to connect my studies of business and languages to better understand the current state of economic relations between Taiwan, the People’s Republic of China, and the United States,” said Henderson. “I also believe learning Mandarin, building relations in Taiwan, and working for the U.S. government is doing my part to foster the relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan and lessen security threats.”

During his time at UR, Henderson completed an international trade internship at the

U.S. Department of Commerce and studied abroad at Singapore Management University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business. 

Since 1995, 17 University of Richmond students have been offered Boren scholarships or fellowships.

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