Smith College - Alum

07/14/2026

For Assistant Professor of Government Cheng Xu, scholarly inquiry and lived experience are deeply intertwined. As he puts it, “so much of what we research, what we choose to look at, is informed by our life experiences.” Before entering academia, Xu spent nearly a decade serving as an infantry officer and paratrooper in the Canadian Army. This background directly shapes his research on civil wars, insurgencies, and the complex dynamics of local peacebuilding.

➡ Tap the link to discover how Professor Xu's background shapes his teaching and research today: smith.edu/news-events/news/what-makes-peacebuilding-possible

06/30/2026

Last chance, ! No contribution is too small to make a massive impact when 54,000 alums rally behind the next generation. Our Small Gifts Add Up campaign ends tonight! If you’re curious where your class stands in the ranks, check out the leaderboard to see your collective impact.

➡ Tap the link to add your contribution today! Every gift—no matter how small—matters: givecampus.com/s/hntn8a

06/29/2026