Xi Wang

Xi Wang is a Professor of History at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), serving since 1994 and previously chair of the Department of History (2005–2008). He holds a B.A. from Hebei University (China), an M.A. from the University of Denver, and a Ph.D. from Columbia University, with postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard University and the University of Rochester. His research focuses on African American history, Civil War/Reconstruction, American constitutionalism, and transnational historical methodologies. Dr. Wang has authored 16 books (including translations and edited volumes) and over 70 peer-reviewed articles in English and Chinese, with works frequently cited in academic curricula across China.

• Education:
  • B.A., Hebei University, China
  • M.A., University of Denver
  • Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Predoctoral Fellowship, University of Rochester
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, Harvard University

His research emphasizes Black suffrage, transnational academic collaboration, and the intersection of race and citizenship. He co-founded the Chinese Historical Review (2003–2014) and established international partnerships, including a sister-school agreement with Hebei University. Current projects include a new course on U.S. immigration history and a book manuscript examining Black suffrage’s historical trajectory. Dr. Wang’s work has been highlighted in the New York Times and supported by Ford Foundation grants.

As a dedicated educator, he coordinates IUP’s History 196 core course, emphasizing African American history’s role in understanding modern U.S. race relations. His teaching philosophy prioritizes critical thinking through assignments like oral history projects, fostering student engagement beyond traditional coursework.

• Key Awards:
  • 2022–23 IUP Distinguished University Professor
  • Recipient of Ford Foundation grants ($400,000 each) for transnational historian exchanges

Dr. Wang’s service includes founding the Asian Studies B.A. and Pan-African Studies minors, organizing major conferences (e.g., 27th Black History Conference of Pennsylvania), and mentoring students like Daniel Wethli in securing Fulbright scholarships. His transnational initiatives have reshaped Chinese academia’s engagement with American studies.