Strategic Advisory for International Higher Education
WorldSync is a boutique consultancy led by Dr. Matthew Schenk, a university president and former dean of one of China’s largest Sino-American dual-degree programs. International academic partnerships fail for predictable reasons; misaligned expectations, regulatory gaps, enrollment shortfalls, cultural friction. We help universities prevent and solve these problems, drawing on over a decade of hands-on leadership in cross-border higher education across China and Southeast Asia.
Matthew Schenk, EdD
I’m Matt Schenk. I currently serve as president of an American-style university in Southeast Asia, and previously spent five years as Dean of one of China’s largest Sino-American dual-degree programs, serving over 5,000 students across two institutions and two regulatory systems. I’ve spent my career inside the partnerships I now advise on; navigating accreditation, building enrollment systems, recruiting and supporting faculty across borders, and solving the operational problems that derail international programs. I hold a doctorate in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University. I founded WorldSync because I saw too many promising partnerships fail for avoidable reasons, and I wanted to help institutions get the ground-level guidance that’s hard to find from a distance.
Cross-Cultural Training for Faculty & Administrators
Equip faculty and administrators with the skills to collaborate effectively with Chinese partners and students. These interactive sessions build cultural awareness, improve communication, and provide actionable strategies for success in global academic settings.
Leadership Strategy for Global Education Programs
Guidance for higher education leaders on managing international programs, partnerships, and global initiatives. Sessions focus on strategic planning, program sustainability, and cross-cultural leadership.
Partnership Consulting & Quality Audits
Develop, assess, and optimize U.S.-China education partnerships. This service ensures global collaborations are strategic, sustainable, and high-impact, with on-site or virtual options.
Retainer Service for Ongoing Support
Ongoing support for institutions managing global education programs. Retainer clients receive priority access to strategy sessions, quality audits, and expert consulting as challenges arise.
Get Expert Guidance on Your Global Education Strategy
Why Universities Trust WorldSync
Most consultants in international higher education advise from the outside. I’ve led these programs from the inside; as a university president in Southeast Asia and as the dean of a 5,000-student dual-degree program in China. I’ve negotiated partnership agreements, built enrollment systems across borders, managed faculty teams across cultures and time zones, and led an institution through its first successful accreditation. WorldSync exists because the hardest problems in international education aren’t strategic, they’re operational. And solving them requires someone who’s actually done the work.
Let's Strengthen Your International Partnerships Together
How I Can Help
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of institutions do you work with?
I work primarily with small to mid-sized American universities that have or are exploring international partnerships in China and Southeast Asia. That includes institutions running dual-degree programs, branch campuses, articulation agreements, or other collaborative models. I also work with Asian institutions looking to strengthen their connections with U.S. partners.
We’re considering launching a partnership in Southeast Asia but don’t know where to start. Can you help?
Yes; this is one of the most common conversations I have. I help institutions assess market fit, identify potential partners, understand regulatory environments, and design partnership structures that are realistic and sustainable. I’m based in the region and work directly on the ground, which makes a significant difference in the quality of advice.
We already have a partnership in Asia but it’s underperforming. What can you do?
I conduct a diagnostic review of the partnership looking at enrollment trends, curriculum alignment, faculty satisfaction, communication breakdowns, and contractual issues. Most struggling partnerships fail for operational reasons, not strategic ones, and the fixes are usually specific and identifiable. I then work with leadership on both sides to implement changes.
Do you work on-site or remotely?
Both. Most of my advisory and strategy work happens remotely, which keeps costs manageable for clients. For partnership launches, accreditation preparation, faculty training, or situations that require face-to-face relationship building, I travel to the partner institution. I’m based in Southeast Asia, so travel across the region is straightforward.
What does a typical engagement look like?
It depends on the need. Some clients bring me in for a focused project such as a partnership audit, a market assessment, or a faculty training session. Others retain me on a monthly basis for ongoing advisory support. Most engagements start with a free initial call where we figure out whether there’s a fit and what the scope should be.
What makes you different from other international education consultants?
I’ve actually led the programs I advise on. I’ve run a 5,000-student dual-degree program, led a university through accreditation, recruited and managed faculty across borders, and navigated the regulatory and cultural complexities firsthand. Most consultants in this space come from policy or research backgrounds. I come from operations.
Can you assist American university teams when they visit China or SE Asia?
Yes! I offer on-the-ground support for U.S. university teams visiting their partner institutions. Traveling in China or Southeast Asia can be complex, especially for first-time visitors, and I help ensure a smooth, efficient, and stress-free experience.
This service includes:
- Meeting university delegations at the airport upon arrival
- Ensuring safe and efficient transportation to partner institutions
- Assisting with hotel bookings, travel arrangements, and logistics
- Helping teams navigate local culture, etiquette, and communication
- Providing recommendations for food, sightseeing, and cultural activities
Interested in travel support for your university team? Let's discuss your upcoming trip.
Can you help our university improve its visibility and marketing in Asia?
Yes. In addition to partnership strategy and leadership consulting, I offer support for universities looking to enhance their presence in the Asia market. This includes assistance with local-language website development, social media account setup (WeChat, Weibo, Douyin), localized marketing materials, and targeted digital campaigns designed to connect with students and families in the local market.