(Aug. 22, 2018) — The UTSA Office of International Programs has named Gigi Do its new executive director. Do has more than 17 years of experience working in international education, including in her most recent role as deputy superintendent for Global Education, Engagement and Partnerships for the International Leadership of Texas (ILTEXAS).
She helped launch five ILTEXAS schools in Houston, which require students to master Mandarin Chinese, English and Spanish to become more competitive in a global workforce. Additionally, she was part of the leadership team with Duke-NUS Medical School in 2017 that built The Vinmec University of Health Sciences in Vietnam.
Do also served as the executive director of the Office of International Initiatives for Houston Community College. She has numerous ties around the world, including in Qatar where she launched the Community College of Qatar, which had its first graduating class in 2012.
She says she looks forward to promoting an environment of global learning with new strategic international partners and creating students who are world-ready.
“I am thrilled to be joining UTSA at such a critical time. I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students to continue to cultivate an environment of global learning,” Do said. “I personally know how having international experiences can transform a student’s trajectory and UTSA is perfectly positioned to continue to create leaders with a global mindset.”
Do’s contributions to the higher ed international community have been featured in the New York Times, and she has won several awards, including the Bellwether Award for Global Workforce Development, the Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education and the HCC’s District Administrator of the Year award.
“Gigi Do has created strong and lasting partnerships in Asia and the Middle East.” said Lisa Montoya, interim vice provost for international initiatives and senior international officer. “She will lead the Office of International Programs to provide exceptional student experiences both here and abroad. And she will be a valuable team member as we broaden our activities as a world engaged university.”
Do earned her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in the Higher Education Leadership Program and is fluent in Vietnamese. Born in Vietnam, she has spent most of her life in the U.S.
