DEAN Alumni Feature: Andrew Cheon

Born in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Andrew immigrated to Canada at the age of 10. Before he left for North America, his father, who was actively engaged in the toy business at the time, brought him wonderful souvenirs from neighboring countries and showed him the benefits of learning their languages. Andrew brought his passion for East Asia to Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, where hyphenated-identities are common and opportunities for cross-cultural dialogues numerous. At Duke, he longed to bring together a group of fellow students who shared an interest in the region. While spending his summer in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, studying Japanese, he met Ning Ai, the editor of Harvard Asia Pacific Review (HAPR), who provided a helpful template for what would eventually become Duke East Asia Nexus. Back on campus, Andrew's brief involvement in Duke Student Government (DSG) as an academic affairs senator provided a platform (and a much needed impetus) to bring this idea to fruition. In 2007, Andrew and a group of talented Duke students launched a student organization that maintains an online academic journal and holds various East Asia-related events on campus. Seeing Ellen Sun's prototype for the website, receiving DEAN's first printed banner, holding ad hoc meetings in Crowell, tabling at various campus events, having dinner with Mr. Keisuke Horikoshi who visited from Yale to talk about differences in history education on World War II across East Asia, and learning from a panel discussion on the financial crisis of 2007-08 with Professors Bai Gao and Edward Tower are some of Andrew's favorite memories from his tenure as DEAN's president. The best part for Andrew, however, is that he found lifelong friends among fellow DEAN members, both past and present.

Please elaborate on your current occupation.

I am an assistant professor of International Political Economy (IPE) at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). My research spans IPE, international security, and political economy of energy and the environment, with particular interests in national oil companies, energy security, energy subsidies, and renewable energy. Before joining the SAIS faculty, I obtained a doctorate in Political Science from Columbia University. My dissertation analyzed the global expansion of national oil companies with a focus on institutional mechanisms of energy sector governance.

How did you become interested in East Asia? What do you find most fascinating about studying the region?

I was born in Seoul, Republic of Korea. In my formative years, my father, who was actively engaged in the toy business at the time, brought me wonderful souvenirs from neighboring countries and showed me the myriad benefits of learning their languages. He also brought me to Japan on numerous occasions. Perhaps because of this experience, East Asia feels familiar and nostalgic, even though I immigrated to Canada at the age of 10. What I find most fascinating about East Asia are the continuities, as well as the dynamism, that characterize the region.

What was your experience with DEAN like? Are there any interesting anecdotes that you’d like to share?

Without a doubt, DEAN was the highlight of my Duke experience. A little known fact is that DEAN was founded over a series of Facebook messages exchanged among Duke students. Though Duke at the time had other student organizations such as Asian Students Association, International Association, and Passport, there was no academic forum devoted to students interested in cultural, economic, and political issues facing the region of East Asia. Beyond providing a creative outlet for these students, DEAN also provided a family atmosphere. I remember looking forward to every general meeting. Not surprisingly, the friendships I formed at DEAN have also been the most enduring.

What do you think a student organization like DEAN can bring to dialogue on international affairs/ East Asian studies?

As a peer-reviewed publication, DEAN brings together reasoned perspectives from Duke and other universities, highlighting critical issues facing East Asia for the wider readership. As a student organization at Duke, it is uniquely positioned to hold quality events on the latest East Asian issues, enriching the collective knowledge of the Duke community. In both capacities, DEAN provides a forum for intellectual debate on timely issues that might otherwise go neglected. Last but not least, DEAN provides a student union of sorts for those actively engaged in the research of East Asia, facilitating information exchange and student advocacy.

How has your Duke experience shaped your trajectory? Advice for current undergraduates?

Quite simply put, it was a game-changer. When I first came to Duke, my parents wanted me to be a lawyer, a doctor, or a businessperson. Being an academic was never the plan. The “Visions of Freedom” FOCUS program, however, put me on a path to become a political science major, and by the end of my junior year, I had found the encouragement and the faculty support I needed to decide (and convince my parents) that I would become a career academic. Though Duke students probably do not need my advice, I would share that the search for one’s voice is a worthwhile enterprise. While obtaining the necessary tools to navigate today’s job market is indeed important, there may be ways to do so without giving up that important pursuit.