Huajing Maske, who previously directed the University of Kentucky's Confucius Institute, has been appointed as the inaugural director of the Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Her appointment comes at a time when U.S. defense officials are warning about the resurgence of Chinese propaganda efforts on American college campuses.
Maske's tenure at the University of Kentucky's Confucius Institute, a program funded by Beijing to promote Chinese language and culture, has drawn scrutiny due to its alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently stated that "80 new propaganda cells" have emerged across 30 universities under different names, with the stated goal of stealing intellectual property and influencing American students.
While UNLV maintains that the Sands Institute was established through a $15 million donation from the Las Vegas Sands Corporation and has not received any funding from China, Maske's past affiliations are raising concerns. During her time at the University of Kentucky, she received awards at conferences attended by senior CCP officials and led delegations to China. Notably, she was part of a delegation that visited the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), an organization criticized by U.S. lawmakers for concealing its CCP ties while promoting educational exchanges.
Confucius Institutes, which were once present at over 100 U.S. universities, faced widespread criticism and pressure from the Trump administration to shut down. Critics argued these institutes restricted academic freedom and served as instruments of influence for Beijing. The University of Kentucky closed its Confucius Institute in 2021, and reports indicate that none of the Confucius Institutes operating in 2017 remain on U.S. campuses.
UNLV's press release regarding the Sands Institute highlighted the growing importance of understanding and engaging with China due to Las Vegas's expanding role as a global hub for tourism and business. The institute aims to foster community engagement and strengthen connections with China.
Maske's resume also includes a role as assistant vice president of international partnerships at Wayne State University, where she facilitated Chinese-language initiatives and participated in meetings with CCP officials. She also holds a vice-president role in the World Chinese Language Teaching Society, whose supervisory body is the CCP's Ministry of Education.
Although Maske has not been accused of any wrongdoing, her history with the Confucius Institute and her continued engagement with Chinese organizations have prompted renewed attention to the dynamics of Chinese influence within American higher education.