This study explored the modern environment in Chinese higher education and trust development with faculty and students within the Chinese educational setting. Qualitative methods were used to conduct semi-structured interviews at two large universities in China. Findings showed that Chinese faculty members viewed trust with their students in a more personal way than did faculty members in Western culture. Findings also showed that Chinese faculty perceived demonstrations of trust as self-actualizing, and that previous trait-based research regarding trust development was consistent within this setting in China.