A Convergence of Faith and Global Education: Schreiner University Delegation Finalizes Exchange Agreements with Four Korean Universities and Affirms Vision for AI Innovation

KERRVILLE, Texas — The Schreiner University Presidential Delegation, led by President Dr. Charlie McCormick, has successfully concluded an eight-day official visit to South Korea. Taking place from March 16 to March 24, 2026, the trip marks a significant milestone, reaffirming Schreiner University’s deeply held Presbyterian heritage while actively advancing its vision for global higher education.

These achievements are the result of a year of dedicated and strategic planning by Dr. Dongwoo Lee, Director of International Relations and Church Relations at Schreiner University. Serving as the primary liaison, Dr. Lee maintained consistent communication with administrators at Hannam University and three other institutions, meticulously refining the details of each Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and expertly coordinating the intensive itinerary. This thorough groundwork allowed the delegation including President Dr. McCormick, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Russell Frohardt, Dr. Dongwoo Lee, Exercise Science & Sport Management Department Chair Dr. Matt Robinson, Global Society Coordinator Mrs. Regina Gordon, Board of Trustees Member Mr. Page Foshee, and Schreiner alumna Miss. Autumn Cortez to successfully advance Schreiner’s academic initiatives in South Korea.

The delegation’s strategic tour began in Seoul at Soongsil University. Meeting with Dr. Kyungnam Jang, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the delegation reached a mutual agreement to establish a five-year partnership rooted in their shared spiritual foundation of the Presbyterian (PCUSA) tradition. To officially finalize this milestone, both institutions are preparing a joint online signing ceremony to be held in the coming months. This collaboration will facilitate the active exchange of students and faculty, strengthening both academic excellence and Christian values. The journey continued to Daegu, where the delegation met with Dr. Synn Ilhi, President of Keimyung University. Building upon their common Presbyterian heritage, the institutions agreed to promote academic and cultural cooperation, providing Schreiner students with access to Keimyung’s annual Korean Culture Summer Camp and various language immersion programs.

The third segment took place at Hannam University in Daejeon. Distinct from the new MOUs, this visit was marked by a meaningful ceremony to renew an existing cooperative agreement, elevating a partnership built on mutual trust since 2014. The delegation met with President Dr. Seung-chul Lee, toured the Hannam Christian Exhibition Hall to honor the university’s founding philosophy, and visited the Campus Innovation Park to witness the infrastructure driving modern academic collaboration. Returning to Seoul, the delegation concluded its university visits at Seoul Women’s University. Meeting with President Dr. Youn-sun Lee, the institutions signed a five-year agreement focused on global academic engagement and digital learning, opening pathways for students to utilize online offerings such as SWU’s Basic Korean course.

A defining outcome of this tour is the establishment of Student Exchange Programs with all four institutions. Consequently, Schreiner students per semester or academic year will have the opportunity to study at these prestigious universities, paying tuition to their home institution while directly experiencing the culture and residential life of the host institution.

Equally significant to the expansion of academic partnerships was the time dedicated to strengthening the historic ties and missional partnership between the U.S. and Korean Presbyterian churches. The delegation visited the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Korea office to meet with Rev. Hyeyoung Lee, PC(USA) Global Ecumenical Liaison and Director of the PC(USA) Korea Mission Office, alongside Rev. Kurt Esslinger, PC(USA) Global Ecumenical Liaison East Asia. This meeting carried special weight, as Rev. Hyeyoung Lee also serves as the Korea Site Director for the PC(USA)’s Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program. Schreiner alumna Autumn Cortez, who accompanied the delegation, shares a direct connection with this program. Selected as a candidate following a recommendation from Dr. Dongwoo Lee, she has been serving as a YAV in Korea for a one-year term that began in August 2025. Her presence served as a tangible example of Schreiner’s faith-based education resulting in impactful global service.

A significant spiritual moment of the journey was the visit to Saemoonan Presbyterian Church in Seoul, the first Presbyterian church established in Korea. The delegation attended the 11:00 AM service, experiencing the vitality of the Korean faith community firsthand. Following the service, they toured the church’s history museum to gain a deeper understanding of the origins and development of the Korean Presbyterian Church. The visit carried special personal significance as Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Sanghak Lee and Rev. Dr. Dongwoo Lee are long-standing academic companions who previously pursued their theological studies together at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, California. The warm reunion of these fellow scholars served as a poignant symbol of the deep personal and spiritual bonds connecting the Presbyterian communities in the United States and Korea.

“The strength of Schreiner University lies in its ability to honor its historic values while embracing the innovations of tomorrow,” noted President Dr. McCormick regarding the mission’s significance. “The global bridge established during this visit will provide our students with transformative opportunities in faith, culture, and technology.”
Concluding their schedule, the Schreiner University delegation noted the rapid educational innovation occurring across South Korean higher education. The institutions visited are actively transforming their academic structures by placing Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the core of their curricula. This forward-looking approach, fusing technology with humanities and faith, strongly aligned with Schreiner University’s vision. President Dr. McCormick and the delegation return to the Texas campus committed to applying these insights, ensuring Schreiner students are equipped with both modern technological competencies and an enduring Christian character to lead in an interconnected world.