By Kevin Chou (’26SPS, Insurance Management) and Jesse Chain Chou (’89TC, Ed.D.)
What does it mean to carry a legacy forward? In this paired reflection, a father and son share their experiences studying at Columbia across generations—offering two perspectives on education, identity, and the enduring impact of learning.
Carrying the Legacy Forward by Kevin Chou
There is a particular kind of pride that does not belong entirely to you, and I mean that in the best possible way. When I received my Master of Professional Studies in Insurance Management degree at Columbia SPS, that is precisely what I felt. There is a famous tenet in traditional Chinese and Taiwanese culture: 繼往開來, meaning "Building on the past and forging ahead into the future." The sacrifices of the generation before you are meant to be carried forward, built upon, and transformed into something the next generation can continue in the same spirit.
Pursuing this degree was, in that spirit, both a personal investment and a quiet act of filial piety, my way of fulfilling my duty as a loving son while preparing myself for what lies ahead. It represents not just professional ambition, but a deeper, or in my case, decidedly familial, accomplishment. Columbia SPS's Insurance Management program challenged me to think critically through its industry-specific curriculum, meticulously designed to weave together theory and practice in equal measure, and in doing so, granted me something I did not entirely anticipate: the genuine satisfaction of intellectual pursuit. I now see the field I have chosen not merely as a career, but as a discipline worthy of lifelong mastery.
And so, standing on this side of the achievement, I find myself reflecting on what it means in full, and smiling a little at the serendipity of it all. In Chinese and Taiwanese tradition, we speak of 光宗耀祖, bringing honor to your ancestors. Now, invoking my ancestors here might be a touch dramatic, given that the Columbia legacy really only started with my father, but the sentiment holds: this achievement has, in its own modest way, illuminated the family name. This degree, earned on my own terms and in my own way, is my contribution to a legacy he began.
My father wrote his chapter at Columbia decades ago, and I have now written mine. Different field, different era, different path, but the same conviction, and the same pride in the name we share. What moves me most is that I was able to do so holding both worlds at once: the prestige and intellectual rigor of an Ivy League education, and the traditional Taiwanese and Chinese value of honoring where and who you come from. That intersection is not a contradiction. It is, I have come to believe, exactly what legacy looks like in my family.
To understand the full story of this legacy, we turn to where it began.
Where the Legacy Began by Jesse Chain Chou
This story of one family’s connection to Columbia University is not simply about academic achievement—it is about vision, perseverance, and the passing of values from father to son.
In 1986, as a young scholar, I began my doctoral journey at Columbia University in New York City. At a time when international study required both courage and determination, I immersed myself in rigorous academic training, completing my doctorate in 1989. Those years were transformative, shaping not only my intellectual foundation but also my worldview.
After graduation, I contributed my expertise to the Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia (CASA), further deepening my engagement with global academic exchange. Yet my aspirations extended beyond personal success. With a strong sense of purpose, I decided to return to Taiwan to give back—joining National Open University as an associate professor, where I devoted my career to teaching and mentoring, helping countless students access education and opportunity until my retirement.
In 1995, my son Kevin Ji-Yih was born into this environment shaped by education and international perspective. As Kevin grew, my experiences naturally became a source of inspiration. Kevin later moved to Seattle, where he completed both his high school and college education, adapting to a new culture while building his own path.
After graduation, Kevin entered the insurance industry, gaining eight years of professional experience. During this time, he developed practical expertise and a deeper understanding of the field. Yet I quietly held a long-standing hope—that Kevin would one day continue the Columbia connection.
Encouraged by this vision, Kevin pursued a master’s degree in Insurance Management at Columbia University. This decision was not merely academic; it represented the continuation of a family legacy rooted in discipline, global outlook, and respect for education. In 2025, Kevin successfully completed his master’s degree, marking a meaningful milestone for both father and son.
This shared journey reflects more than two diplomas from the same institution. It symbolizes the enduring influence of education across generations—the way one person’s experiences can shape another’s aspirations decades later. From New York to Taiwan, from classroom to career, the Columbia legacy in this family is defined not just by achievement, but by continuity, intention, and the belief that learning is a lifelong inheritance.
Views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Columbia School of Professional Studies or Columbia University.
About the Program
The Master of Professional Studies in Insurance Management is for career professionals who want to accelerate their advancement to leadership positions or broaden their expertise in the industry. It accommodates both professionals already working in insurance and those looking to make a career change. The program is part-time, online, and instruction is asynchronous to accommodate working professionals.
Applications are reviewed and candidates are accepted on a rolling basis for the M.P.S. in Insurance Management program. Learn more about the program here.
