Cindy Elliott has been actively engaged with Shawn Chen in launching and building Sias International University since its inception. As the Assistant Provost for Global Partnerships at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) in Hays, Kansas, U.S.A., she helped to launch the first American dual Bachelor’s degree in China for Sias students in the year 2000. FHSU now offers five different degrees through Sias’ School of International Education and has graduated over 9,000 students who are gainfully employed, or who have sought postgraduate education in China or abroad. Cindy has the most experience on the Sias Foundation Board by touching the lives of Sias students and participating in Sias’ growth to maturity today.

Cindy has served on many national and international boards including: Sister Cities International; Smoky Hills Public Television; National University Telecommunications Network; Hays Symphony Guild; Center for Life Experience; e-Rotary; the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors; the Association of International Educators; the Institute for International Education; International Academic Partnership Program in India and Brazil; and the Fort Hays State University Foundation.

In October, 2016, she was a recipient of a Franco-American Fulbright Commission Administrators Grantee, in France and Germany.