🌿 2026 Community Garden Steering Committee (CGSC)

We are pleased to announce the 2026 Community Garden Steering Committee (CGSC) of Duke Kunshan University! The new committee will officially take over responsibilities starting November 1, 2025. Thank you to all who have supported the garden throughout the past year, and to the outgoing team for their dedication and care.

Contact Information:

• Microsoft Teams: https://tinyurl.com/dku-garden
• Email: dku-garden@proton.me

New Committee Members (2026)

Xinyao (Tacia) Gao (高鑫瑶)

Responsibility: Student Communication

Hi there! My name is Xinyao (Tacia) Gao, a sophomore majoring in Environmental Science with a focus on avian ecology. I have a broad interest in all kinds of wildlife, so I founded the Wildlife Observers Society (WOS) in 2024. Our goal is to explore and document wildlife while connecting with a broader community and respecting nature as it is. I’m also learning to tell the stories of wildlife through an artistic lens that combines science and creativity. I look forward to more exchanges and inspiration!

Thoughts and Ideas:

• Focus Area: Boost student involvement in sustainability work.
• Improvement Suggestions: Integrate biodiversity themes into the garden’s planting and educational programs.
• Interested Role: Student communication and biodiversity promotion.

Coraline Goron (高丽娜)

Responsibility: Climate & Sustainability Integration

Coraline Goron is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Policy in both the International Master of Environmental Policy (iMEP) and undergraduate programs. She serves as the Director of the Climate and Sustainability Initiative and as Chair of the DKU Sustainability Committee. Coraline played an important role in the first renovation of the Community Garden and continues to support integrating the garden into DKU’s broader sustainability and climate education efforts, linking it with applied learning opportunities and student engagement.

Thoughts and Ideas:

• Focus Area: Integrate the garden with DKU’s sustainability teaching and research.
• Improvement Suggestions: Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on learning in the garden.
• Interested Role: Climate and sustainability integration.

Wanjian Li (李万謇)

Responsibility: Finance Liaison & Garden Support

I’m Wanjian Li from the DKU Finance Department. I’m passionate about agriculture and gardening and actively involved in both. I joined the CGSC to contribute to the financial coordination and operational support of our garden’s activities.

Thoughts and Ideas:

• Plot Allocation: Priority for active participants, supported by transparent community contribution records.
• Improvement Suggestions: Establish a transparent waitlist system and share garden updates regularly to keep members informed.
• Interested Role: Membership management – allocate plots and planting boxes.

Xue Qiu (仇雪)

Responsibility: Communication & Library Liaison

I am Xue Qiu, Senior Coordinator for Outreach and Learning Resource Management at the DKU library. I joined the CGSC because I believe the garden is a living learning space that connects people through nature, creativity, and sustainability. I hope to enhance the garden’s visibility through storytelling, library collaboration, and community engagement.

Thoughts and Ideas:

• Plot Allocation: Encourage broader participation by recruiting new members, including families and children.
• Improvement Suggestions: Organize family-friendly and kid-oriented events to inspire interest in gardening and environmental education.
• Interested Role: Communication and outreach.

Pengcheng Tan (谈鹏程)

Responsibility: Tools & Equipment Maintenance

I’m Tan Pengcheng, a Research Assistant in Neuroscience. I’m passionate about growing potatoes, spinach, garlic, and scallions—and about building communities. I joined the CGSC to help manage the garden’s tools and equipment, ensuring everything stays in good condition and ready for all gardeners. If you notice any missing items or maintenance issues, please contact me at pengcheng.tan@dukekunshan.edu.cn or find me at WDR-3W036 or the DKU Planting Garden!

Thoughts and Ideas:

• Plot Allocation: Timely update of unused boxes to ensure active participation.
• Improvement Suggestions: Organize regular community gardening events.
• Interested Role: Procurement and equipment maintenance.

Continuing Committee Members (2026)

Luisa Li (李凡)

Responsibility: Group Activities + Fundraising and Awareness

Luisa is from the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and continues to bring her warmth and passion for gardening and community-building to the CGSC. She will keep organizing activities and outreach efforts to grow our garden community.

Thoughts and Ideas:

• Improvement Suggestions: Continue strengthening fundraising and public engagement for the garden.
• Interested Role: Group activities, fundraising, and awareness promotion.

Meng Wang (王蒙)

Responsibility: Group Activities + Future Star Community Grant

Meng works at the Language and Culture Center (LCC) and has long been active in community gardening in both Shanghai and DKU. She continues her leadership in organizing group activities and managing community grants to support the garden’s growth.

Thoughts and Ideas:

• Plot Allocation: Keep boxes that are well attended and ensure fairness across users.
• Improvement Suggestions: Increase student participation through regular promotion in the DKU community.
• Interested Role: Group activities and grant coordination.

Micky Zhang

Responsibility: Group Buy Coordination

Micky serves as the Procurement Director at DKU and has been supporting the CGSC with group purchasing for sustainable gardening supplies. She will continue coordinating collective orders to make gardening more accessible and environmentally friendly.

Thoughts and Ideas:

• Improvement Suggestions: Streamline group purchases and support environmentally preferred procurement.
• Interested Role: Group buy coordination.

We look forward to another vibrant year of growth, learning, and community in our DKU garden. 🌱
— The Community Garden Steering Committee (CGSC)