I’m a first-generation college graduate and lifelong educator. My career has been about one thing: building the systems, teams, and opportunities that help people and institutions reach their potential.
Seven stops, one throughline: helping people and institutions reach their potential.
Flew solo to my first day at UT Austin. An orientation advisor named Kyle handed me a fresh shirt and introduced me to community — it changed everything.
Taught middle school science with Teach for America, founded a Students Run LA chapter that still exists today, and was named Toyota International Teacher of the Year.
Taught English, audited graduate courses, and studied global education systems in my family’s homeland.
Earned my doctorate under Dr. Victor Sáenz while directing one of UT’s largest student success programs — and co-designing the university’s Summer Bridge program with the Provost’s Office.
Directed UC San Diego’s largest student success center, serving 3,000+ students a year. San Diego became home — and where our family gives today.
Served as Associate Dean, leading a six-department portfolio and scaling leadership programs to reach 1,300+ students annually.
As Branch Chief of Strategic Initiatives, led enterprise-wide leadership and organizational strategy across NIH’s 27 institutes and centers.
Led national strategy for the Partnership to Advance Transformation in Higher Education (PATH), a Gates Foundation–funded coalition of 20+ organizations reaching 1,700+ institutions.
Leading the Ivory Bridges Foundation, counseling first-gen families through college admissions, and advising education organizations on strategy and systems.
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I started my career dissecting frogs with seventh graders in Los Angeles. Through that experience, I was named Toyota International Teacher of the Year (no car included). Twenty years later, I lead strategy, operations, and system transformation across education, nonprofits, philanthropy, and the public sector.
I’m a first-generation college graduate and proud son of Taiwanese immigrants — raised in the Washington, DC area, speaking English and Chinese at home, with Spanish picked up along the way. That experience continues to shape how I think about opportunity, belonging, and what institutions owe the people they serve.
“I didn’t accomplish anything by doing it in isolation. I studied with people, built alongside people, brainstormed with people. I had people who had my back.”
My campus career took me from UT Austin to UC San Diego to Johns Hopkins — more than a decade leading student success at scale, with teams of hundreds and multimillion-dollar portfolios. At the National Institutes of Health, I led enterprise-wide strategy and organizational alignment across 27 institutes and centers, and I’ve since led national strategy for a Gates Foundation–funded higher education coalition. Along the way I was honored to be part of the ACE Fellows Program, the APAICS National Leadership Academy, and Renaissance Weekend, and to hold faculty appointments in organizational theory, qualitative methods, and higher education leadership.
Outside of education, my brother and I co-founded a family real estate firm — a venture that taught me as much about long-term thinking and community investment as any classroom.
These days, my time goes to a few places — all tied to the same purpose.
I advise education, nonprofit, and mission-driven organizations on strategy, systems, and leadership development — helping leaders translate ambitious goals into practical structures and results.
Qualified Administrator, IDI® · Certified facilitator & strengths coach
As a college counselor with CollegeWise, I guide students and families through admissions — especially those navigating it for the first time, as I once did.
Focus: first-gen families · R1 research universities
I serve on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Education at San Diego State University and on Teach For America Southern California’s Advisory Board, advising on strategy, partnerships, and expanding educational opportunity.
Education strategy · Partnerships · College access
I founded and lead the Ivory Bridges Foundation, providing scholarships, mentorship, and success coaching for first-generation college students nationwide.
I speak on student success, leadership, identity, and organizational strategy — drawing from a career bridging academia, public service, and entrepreneurship.
Peer-reviewed lessons from growing a summer bridge program 10× in three years without losing quality.
On the Lu Family Collaboration Hub and backing the educators who shape our community.
On breaking barriers in leadership, with Rachel Saathoff.
On moving from living in San Diego to belonging to San Diego.
Peer-reviewed research spanning science identity, college access, and student success — plus book chapters, policy papers, and edited journals.
Giving back is at the heart of everything I do — mentoring students, serving nonprofits, and reframing philanthropy with my family.
A national nonprofit providing mentorship, financial support, and success coaching for first-generation college students.
ivorybridges.org →Advocacy and confidential support for immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
afssaustin.org →Supporting racial equity, education access, and immigrant-serving organizations across the San Diego region.
Read the profile →Leadership & civic engagement alumnus: Leadership Austin · Leadership Baltimore · Leadership Montgomery · LEAD San Diego
Whether it’s a speaking invitation, an advising question, or a first-gen student who needs a hand — I’d love to hear from you.
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