Leslie E. Wong joins Lingnan Board
The Lingnan Board has unanimously approved Dr. Leslie E. Wong to join its Board of Trustees. The Lingnan Foundation, an American philanthropy founded in 1893 in New York, seeks to contribute to the advancement of higher education in South China and thereby promote understanding between Chinese and Americans. Guided by the motto of education for service, the foundation funds efforts to promote integrative liberal learning, scholarly exchange, educational innovation, and service to society.
Lingnan Foundation Chair Dr. Chui L. Tsang said “We are delighted to have Dr. Wong join our Board. He brings with him a strong American higher education leadership background and many connections to universities in China. I believe he will bring fresh insight to our Board discussions.”
When asked about his board appointment, Dr. Wong responded, “The mission of the Lingnan Foundation is well aligned to my interests and experience. I believe the academic partnerships between the United States and China will be even more important in the coming years. I hope to add value and assist the Lingnan Foundation.”
At the end of this academic year, Dr. Leslie E. Wong will be ending his 7-year tenure as president of San Francisco State University, one of the nation’s premier urban comprehensive universities. He led more than 3,500 faculty and staff as they served a student population of over 30,000.
Dr. Wong has been committed to providing SF State students with an exceptional educational experience forged in the intellectual energy of one of the world’s most innovative cities and fostered by the diversity, creativity and dedication of SF State’s faculty, staff, students and alumni. He has been devoted to moving San Francisco State forward to achieve its full potential. Upon his arrival at SF State, he co-chaired the now completed strategic planning process that produced a value driven roadmap to advance the university’s goals. He also launched SF State’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign to provide the resources necessary to support the needs of SF State students in the 21st century as well as the innovative research and creative projects of SF State students and faculty. Early campaign successes contributed to new scholarship funds, the renovation of the SF State gym and the revitalization of the athletics program.
Dr. Wong serves on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the Bay Area Council and the National Collegiate Athletics Association’s Board of Governors Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity. He served on the National Collegiate Athletics Association’s Division II President’s Council for three years. Dr. Wong has received a number of national and community awards including the 2014 Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE) President's Award for Leadership and Contributions in Higher Education as well as the Region VI National Association of Student Personnel Association (NASPA) President’s award. He is also a member of the prestigious Committee of 100, a national and international organization with the dual mission of advancing constructive dialogue and relationships between the United States and Greater China, and advocating for Chinese American rights in the United States.
Prior to his appointment at San Francisco State in 2012, Dr. Wong served as President of Northern Michigan University. Earlier in his career he held executive leadership positions at Valley City State University, the University of Southern Colorado and Evergreen State College.
Dr. Wong holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Gonzaga University, a master’s degree in Experimental Psychology from Eastern Washington University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Washington State University. He maintains research interests in educational technology, academic assessment and the role of underrepresented minorities in the academy.
Of Dr. Wong’s appointment, Dr. Ding-Jo Currie, president of the Lingnan Foundation, said “We are very fortunate to have such a distinguished leader joining our foundation board. We will benefit greatly from his insights, experiences, and leadership. I look forward to working with Dr. Wong.”
To learn more about the Lingnan Foundation, please visit www.lingnanfoundation.org or contact Dr. Ding-Jo Currie at 714-371-4118, or email at Info@LingnanFoundation.org.
