Zishen (Norman) Ye

BA Urban and Regional Planning & BA Political Science, 2019

Since enrolling at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Zishen (Norman) Ye’s academic and professional careers have blended his interests in international relations and urban planning. He has also combined his studies with hands-on experience. As an undergraduate student, Zishen chaired Model UN conferences and the Transportation Working Group within the Student Sustainability Committee, and he completed an internship with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank based in Washington, D.C. He was also a Bronze Tablet recipient and a current member of the President’s Council.

After graduating from Illinois, Zishen earned a Master’s of International Affairs from Columbia University. During his graduate studies, he interned at the Eurasia Group as well as the Lair East Labs. Zishen is now a management consultant at the Shanghai office of McKinsey & Company. In May 2025, Zishen received the Illinois Department of Political Science’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award, for alumni under age 40 who have shown significant achievement early in their careers.

Less than two years after graduating from the University of Illinois, Zishen established the Zishen Ye Scholarship for Distinguished Practice in Political Science and the Zishen Ye Fund for Outstanding Practice in Urban Planning. His generous donations support opportunities for students to gain real-world experience through internships, field work, etc.

We asked Zishen to reflect on his time at Illinois and how it has shaped his professional and philanthropic endeavors:

Why did you choose to attend Illinois for your undergraduate degrees?

Illinois’ strong academic reputation was the initial draw, but the experience was far richer. The university warmly welcomed me into a vibrant community. This sense of belonging, coupled with a safe and inclusive environment, was invaluable and far exceeded my expectations.

Is there a professor, staff member, or friend that left a lasting impact on you?

There are way too many! Professor Vasquez from the Crisis Diplomacy class challenged me on my critical thinking with rigorous standards. Professor Novak, who was my advisor in the Department of Urban Planning, has showed genuine care about my academics and well-being. I can say that all of those who helped me during college have shaped who I am today.

What are your favorite memories from Illinois?

Getting lunchboxes with my friends from Chinese restaurants (EVO Café, Nanjing Bistro) and racing to find a seat in the Psychology building after a busy morning of class, the cherry blossoms at the Japan House, and figuring out how the doors work at the UGL.

Tell us a bit about your journey since your time at Illinois (jobs, passion projects, etc.)

After graduating from Illinois, I went to Columbia University to pursue a master’s degree in International Affairs due to my interest in understanding the impact of geopolitical shifts on business. I currently work at a global consulting firm in Shanghai, where these shifts have a real impact on our work. In the long run, I hope to understand it better and find a way to contribute to the friendly ties between China and the U.S.

What is a book or article you’ve read recently?

I recently read Ray Dalio’s Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order. Growing up during an era of globalization and relatively amicable U.S.-China relations, the current global landscape feels profoundly different from my student days. Dalio’s examination of historical cycles—the rise and fall of empires, shifts in economic power, and periods of conflict—offers a valuable framework for understanding these transformations. It’s compelling to learn how past precedents might offer insights into navigating the significant, and often turbulent, changes that impact all of us today and tomorrow.

What inspired you to give back to Illinois?

The importance of combining field practice and academic learning really struck me during the summer internship between my junior and senior year, and I wanted to help those following similar paths.

My internship at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. taught me so much beyond the books, such as networking, which was essential in a place like D.C. However, as a foreign student who had never lived in D.C., I hadn’t even heard of the term before. So, I had to figure it out by learning on-the-go.

Looking back, I wish someone had given me more advice on surviving in the real world. Additionally, I will always remember the help I got from countless people during that time, and one of them hoped that I could “just send the ladder down” when I asked her how I could thank her for the help.

This is my way of saying thank you to those who helped me and to support students who are in a similar position to where I once was. They are hard-working and navigating life’s many firsts on their own, often not even realizing what they don’t know. I hope to lessen the financial burden and boost their confidence, empowering them to focus on their ambitions and ultimately give back to society.

What advice would you give Illinois alumni to succeed in a global job market?

While I’m still relatively early in my career, one thing I’ve found incredibly valuable is to have an open heart to embrace different possibilities and cultures and be genuinely curious about building connections. You never know what exciting opportunity might emerge from a random conversation with an alumnus across the Pacific or next door. And, the world is your oyster.