Born in Laos and a refugee of the Vietnam War, I immigrated to France with my family in 1977, where we lived until 1986. After finishing middle school, my parents moved us to California's Central Valley to reunite with the rest of my family and pursue the agricultural opportunities provided by the region's rich and fertile land.

My connection to Fresno State began soon after high school. Having lived in three continents and being trilingual inspired me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in French then continuing on to complete a master’s degree in Linguistics in 1999. As a graduate student, I gained valuable teaching experience as an instructor for the Hmong language classes. The education I received at Fresno State, not only changed the trajectory of my life but has impacted future generations within my family. This legacy continues through my wife, Misty, and my children, Ryan, currently working for the governor’s office in Nebraska and Grace, currently pursuing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology in Palo Alto —all of whom are Fresno State graduates, embodying that with a Fresno State degree, anything is possible no matter where you start.

In 2000, I embarked on my professional path in Student Affairs as an outreach counselor for the College of Arts and Humanities. Over the last 24 years, I have taken on numerous roles, including counselor, associate director, director, and associate vice president for strategic enrollment. In 2012, I had the opportunity to spearhead the collaboration between Fresno State and Microsoft Research to create the first-ever Hmong language translator, an essential tool for preserving the Hmong language and culture.

Throughout my career, I have collaborated with deans, faculty, and staff to champion student success as well as fostered strong relationships with community organizations.

These partnerships have paved pathways for making Fresno State education accessible to the Central Valley's diverse communities. One of the most recent achievements includes establishing Bulldog Bound, a guaranteed admissions program that now supports over 14,000 high school students across four counties.

My commitment to supporting others is fueled by the profound impact a Fresno State education had on my life and that of my family. This dedication drives me to positively influence students and communities, ensuring they receive the same opportunities I was afforded. My approach is built on fostering relationships with partners who share my vision of transformative student success.

In addition to my leadership experience, I have spearheaded advancements in enrollment technology, having successfully implemented four customer relationship management (CRM) systems over the past 20 years. My expertise spans marketing, communication strategy, partnership development, program planning, cross-campus collaboration, and strategic planning, which I will embody in my role.

As interim vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, I have the honor to serve a team of 300 passionate and committed professionals in areas such as: Strategic Enrollment Management; Health, Counseling and Wellness; Student Life; and Student Success Services. Above all, I am dedicated to ensuring that the 24,000 students, who placed their trust and future in Fresno State, achieve their fullest potential.

Rooted in my personal journey and professional dedication to empowering others, I look forward to working with the entire campus community to create opportunities and drive student success.