College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

"As someone deeply interested in languages, cultures and archaeology, I knew mastering Chinese would open doors to research opportunities, particularly in East Asia."

For graduating senior Gwendolyn (Gigi) Lamb, the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU felt like a natural fit for achieving her aspirations.

Sponsored by The Language Flagship, an initiative of the National Security Education Program within the Defense Language and National Security Education Office, WKU's program is one of eight nationwide focused on Chinese. It is also the only one located in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

"The Chinese Flagship Program has been central to my academic journey, providing an immersive and rigorous language-learning environment. Through intensive coursework, study abroad experiences and individualized tutoring, I have pushed my Chinese proficiency toward an advanced level," Lamb explained.

Participants engage in a 5-year curriculum designed to develop a superior level of Mandarin Chinese proficiency through cultural immersion activities, a connected cohort of students on campus and a final capstone year abroad.

"My interest in Chinese language and Asian religions and cultures stems from my deep interest in foreign language and the accessibility it allows me to engage with people of different cultures and historical texts," Lamb shared.

Dr. Yuyun Lei, a Pedagogical Assistant Professor of Chinese in the Department of Modern Languages, highlighted how Lamb deeply engages with Chinese language and culture in her studies.

"Gigi has thrived in this rigorous program. She has consistently demonstrated attentiveness and curiosity in class, posing thoughtful questions and contributing insightful ideas to discussions. In a recent Flagship course with me, we explored a range of complex historical, societal and political topics using domain-specific Chinese. I was very impressed by her presentations on deep-sea archeology in the South China Sea and China's new movement on marriage and childbirth, both of which showcased her solid advanced proficiency in Chinese and a deep understanding of Chinese culture and society," Dr. Lei noted.

Lamb also engaged in activities on campus that complemented her studies, such as the Chinese Music Club. After joining her freshman year, Lamb participated throughout her college career and served as the organization's president.

"This club has allowed me to explore traditional Chinese music by playing the Chinese flute (dizi) and learning about the cultural significance of various instruments. As president, I organize performances, workshops and cultural events that introduce club members and the broader campus community to traditional Chinese music," Lamb noted.

Complementing her focus on culture and language, Lamb chose to pursue an additional major in Anthropology.

"Anthropology, with a focus on archaeology, allows me to explore the material traces of past societies, uncovering how people interacted with their landscapes and adapted to their environments. I've always been fascinated by how physical remnants—architecture, artifacts and even soil composition—can tell stories about human life," Lamb shared.

Additionally, Lamb highlighted opportunities to engage in hands-on research and fieldwork within the program while working closely with professionals in the field.

"The university's faculty and commitment to global education, made it the ideal place for me to pursue my academic and professional goals," Lamb explained.

Funded by competitive opportunities such as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and the Freeman Award for Study in Asia, Lamb traveled abroad to extend her knowledge with support from the WKU Office of Scholar Development and WKU Global.

"For years, I dreamed of traveling and immersing myself in different cultures and WKU has made that possible. Through these experiences, I have studied archaeology in Mongolia, advanced Chinese in Taiwan and participated in domestic programs that broadened my academic and professional skills. Each opportunity has deepened my understanding of different cultures, histories and languages while helping me grow personally and academically," Lamb shared.

Recalling her experience on a faculty-led trip to Mongolia with Dr. Jean-Luc Houle, an Associate Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Society, Culture, Crime and Justice Studies, Lamb affirmed the value of experiential learning to her studies.

"I participated in archaeological fieldwork, applying excavation techniques and studying how landscapes shape human history. Beyond the technical skills, engaging with local communities deepened my understanding of the modern cultural significance of archaeological sites. This experience reinforced my passion for the use of GIS in archaeology and the importance of integrating anthropology into fieldwork," Lamb explained.

Dr. Houle also noted Lamb's skill within the field, highlighting her ability to blend her interests into a unique perspective.

"What really sets Gigi apart is how she brings together disciplines, languages and cultures in a way that few students achieve," Dr. Houle shared.

"In 2024, she joined my archaeology field school in Mongolia, where she went above and beyond and quickly took on key roles in GIS data collection and LiDAR scanning. I must emphasize that this field school took place in a very remote region of Mongolia where very few modern amenities were available. She thrived in this physically demanding environment, working alongside international researchers and engaging with the local population. Her adaptability, strong work ethic and eagerness to contribute made her an invaluable member of the team," Dr. Houle continued.

For Lamb, the best part of her Hilltopper experience stems from the connections she made on the Hill and around the world.

"The most rewarding aspect has been meeting people from diverse backgrounds—whether classmates, professors or locals in the places I've studied. Engaging with different perspectives has challenged me to think in new ways and has strengthened my passion for cross-cultural research and global collaboration," Lamb noted.

From serving as president of the Fencing Club, learning alongside fellow Mahurin Honors College scholars, volunteering at the Bowling Green International Festival and working as a docent at the Kentucky Museum, Lamb's experiences on the Hill weave a unique tapestry of memories for this senior.

"I would like to think that each experience that I had during my time at WKU helped me in some way for a career after graduation. I have learned many transferable skills and gained lots of insight on how to handle a myriad of situations. Being president of two clubs has helped me learn how to teach others and manage conflict; studying abroad in Mongolia helped me gain practical archaeology experience and helped me find my interest in GIS; lastly, working two jobs has also helped me learn to effectively manage my time," Lamb explained.

Looking to the future, Lamb aims to apply her unique blend of skills toward studying cultural heritage preservation and advancing digital archaeology through GIS.

"My goal is to integrate fieldwork, digital methods and linguistic skills to contribute to cross-cultural archaeological research, particularly in East Asia," Lamb concluded.

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#WKUGrad series: As part of our #WKUGrad series, articles on graduating students are shared in the weeks leading up to Commencement. See all of their stories at https://www.wku.edu/news/articles.

For more information about the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU, visit https://www.wku.edu/chineseflagship/

For more information about a degree in Chinese at WKU, visit https://www.wku.edu/modernlanguages/chinese/index.php

For more information about a degree in Anthropology at WKU, visit https://www.wku.edu/sccjs/anthropology.php

For more information about a degree in Asian Religions & Cultures at WKU, visit https://www.wku.edu/history/undergrad/asian-religions-cultures-major.php

For more information about the Mahurin Honors College at WKU, visit https://www.wku.edu/honors/