On May 10, NYU Shanghai successfully concluded the first instantiation of its new certificate program introducing the foundations of university-level teaching to experienced professionals and executives interested in contributing to higher education as professors of practice, industry lecturers, or academic partners. Designed for participants from any industry, the program, titled From Boardroom to Classroom, brought together an accomplished cohort of 10 senior professionals united by a shared commitment to the transformative power of education.
Participants averaged more than 20 years of work experience and represented sectors from law firm practice to quantitative finance, biochemical engineering to fashion marketing, consulting to agricultural trade, among others.
Across three full-day sessions and individualized coaching, participants moved through a structured curriculum that blended learning science with practical instructional techniques and guided participants through the essential building blocks of course and lesson design, classroom delivery, and assessment. A dedicated learning management system provided access to supplemental reference materials and academic readings.
Participants also completed a set of concrete deliverables aligned with the course objectives that enabled them to put concepts into actual practice. These included a polished lesson plan, a syllabus for a proposed semester-long course, and a live mock class presentation delivered to their peers, recorded for reflection and continued improvement.
Final presentations included lectures on private wealth management, entrepreneurial mindset, branding strategy, leadership in multinational companies, practical tips on starting a healthcare practice, and more.
The program was taught by Ted Magder, Associate Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication at the New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. Magder is a past recipient of NYU’s Distinguished Teaching Award, former Vice Dean of Academic Affairs at NYU Steinhardt, and NYU Shanghai’s incoming Interim Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs who has worked with hundreds of NYU teachers globally over the course of a more than 30-year career.
Professor Magder commented, “It was a joy and a privilege to share my thoughts about teaching with such an engaged and energetic group of professionals with such a diverse range of life and work experiences. The classroom buzzed with enthusiasm from start to finish.”
NYU Shanghai extends its congratulations to the program’s inaugural Spring 2026 cohort and looks forward to supporting future professionals who seek to contribute to higher education with rigor, care, and real-world perspective.
Participants In Their Own Words
Danny Bao, Founder and Vice Chairman at Profound Capital Limited
“I am truly glad to have taken Professor Ted Magder’s class—an intellectually stimulating and memorable experience that stands out since my MBA 25 years ago. What sets him apart is his passion for teaching: he tells stories, sparks debate, and genuinely listens.
The diversity of my classmates enriched our discussions, bringing valuable perspectives from various industries. The course is well-structured for busy executives, especially those interested in teaching at the college level. Complementing the experience, NYU Shanghai’s graduate classroom is state of the art—creating an ideal setting for advanced learning.”
David Chen, Corporate Crime & Investigations Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
“I really enjoyed taking this course. Ted is a master at his craft and made me feel comfortable stepping back into a classroom after so many years away. Thanks to everyone involved with the program for creating an engaging and memorable experience. I hope to put the new skills learned to good use in the near future.”
Gary Wang, General Manager for Northeast Asia and Global CEO Council Member at Buckman Laboratories
“This program was truly rewarding—it seamlessly translated my industry expertise into practical university teaching skills. The structured curriculum and diverse, collaborative cohort made every session meaningful. Beyond pedagogical skills, the program offered many insightful takeaways that directly inform my corporate work. It is well worth exploring for professionals looking to step into academia or integrate academic thinking into systematic corporate knowledge transfer.”
Audrey Wu, PR and Communication Manager at Vilebrequin APAC
“I now feel capable of delivering my own course and sharing my knowledge in the field of fashion. The most important principle I will carry forward is ‘Teach Less, Better.’ This idea will remain central to both my corporate work and my future teaching in the classroom. Focusing on quality over quantity and allowing space for deeper engagement has been a powerful lesson. Thank you, Ted Magder, for the insightful instruction!”
Jasmine Wucherpfennig, Senior Marketing Executive with 20 years of experience
“The From Boardroom to Classroom certificate program gave me the opportunity to transform years of hands-on professional experience and firsthand perspective into something that creates lasting value for students. What struck me most was how the program itself modeled excellence — Ted exemplified what it means to be a high-caliber educator, drawing on research, learning tools, and timely topics like AI in education. While the course moved quickly, it was flexible and thoughtfully structured — breaking down each piece in a way that allowed us to carefully develop our courses with intention. We were challenged to think deeply about not just what we teach, but how to truly engage students in ways that expand their thinking — and the cohort experience made that journey even better, as we learned as much from each other as from the curriculum itself.
For any professional looking to bridge the gap between industry and the classroom, this program equips you with both the mindset and the tools to do it well. I’d absolutely recommend it.”
About NYU Shanghai Non-Degree Programs
NYU Shanghai non-degree programs extend the opportunity of a NYU Shanghai education to lifelong learners, corporate enterprises, and organizations across sectors seeking to acquire skills and knowledge, unlock growth, and join our international community of students and scholars. From executive education to custom training, professional certificates to open-enrollment classes, all of our programs combine academic teaching with applied relevance, multidisciplinary experience, global perspective, and connectedness to NYU’s global network.
For more information about non-degree programs at NYU Shanghai, visit the Office of Non-Degree Programs (ONDP) website or contact the ONDP at shanghai.nondegree@nyu.edu.