NIU President John LaTourette left Monday for Shanghai and Beijing, China with members of the College of Education.

Charles Stegman, college of education dean, Dennis Gooler, professor of leadership and educational policy studies, and others accompanied LaTourette on the trip.

LaTourette’s secretary Anne Groves said Gooler planned the trip and will lecture in Shanghai.

A representative in the education office said the group also will try to meet the person responsible for education technology applications in China.

Groves said LaTourette will return April 12, but the rest of the group might stay longer.

LaTourette is needed on the trip because his position as a university president is “respected,” Groves said.