"Coming from a refugee family, I am constantly reminded that I am fortunate to be born in the United States as I had opportunities to get an education, whereas my parents did not," she said.

She’s heard stories from her family about what was like to flee Thailand as refugees and can only imagine what her parents' lives were like growing up.

"My parents sacrificed and lost everything on their trek from Laos to Thailand," she said.

After spending years in a Thailand refugee camp, her family was relocated to Moline, Ill. Among the many firsts they experienced was snow.

"As Hmong refugees in the U.S., it was a jarring experience for my family," she said. "Coming from a third world country, my family was fortunate to have the help of local churches and community to assist with their resettlement. They helped my family find a home, set up their utilities, enroll in English classes and find a job."

Lee’s family moved to Fresno in the mid-1980s and she graduated from Roosevelt High School. She had the encouragement of her parents, but she recognized there were many first-generation and low-income students who did not know how to go to college.

"I have always been interested in helping others, especially as it relates to getting an education," she said. "Many students did not take the right classes or were unprepared to go to college. I became interested in the field of enrollment because I get the opportunity to help students who want a college education to be able to get one."

Lee is responsible for overseeing the offices of Outreach and Special Programs, Undergraduate Student Recruitment, Admissions and Records, and Financial Aid and Scholarships.

"I love knowing that the work I do and the offices I oversee have a positive impact on students’ lives," she said. "I enjoy helping students go to college."

Lee’s path to higher education and Fresno State may not have been possible if she hadn’t been selected as a Gates Millennium Scholar.

"The Gates Millennium Scholarship transformed my life and gave me courage to dream bigger than I was able to originally," she said. "As a low-income first generation college student, earning a bachelor’s degree already seemed like a large feat. I always knew I was going to go to college, but being a Gates Millennium Scholar made me believe in the possibilities beyond a bachelor’s degree. It gave me the courage to pursue a graduate school and eventually to pursue my Ph.D. … something I did not and could not have imagined was in my future."

The scholarship also connected her to a network of scholars and community supporters who reminded her there is no limit to success. She feels she was so fortunate to have had so many people believe and support her. Earlier this year, she had the opportunity to attend the East Coast Leadership Conference in Virginia, welcoming the last cohort of scholars into the program.

"Being able to give back to my family and community is my most valuable accomplishment because I look back and I appreciate the gains my family and I have made over one generation – as my siblings are in college or have a college degree, whereas my parents only have an elementary school education," she said.

Lee feels humbled by her role in giving advice and guidance to students.

"What they do not realize is they inspire me," she said.

Lee is involved in numerous campus committees, including the Technology Steering Committee, the Enrollment Management Advisory Committee and the Student Success Executive Committee. Her projects include streamlining and the automation of systems in Enrollment Management offices and working with community partners to increase college enrollment.

Outside of work, Lee loves to travel. "It is on my bucket list to visit every continent and the seven wonders at least once in my lifetime," she said.

Married with two children — Sophie, 6, and Reagan, 1 — Lee enjoys spending time with her family. If she can do it traveling, so much the better.

Lee earned her undergraduate degree from UC Santa Barbara in sociology and Asian American studies and her master's from the University of Southern California in post-secondary education and student affairs. She earned her Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Michigan.