A dedicated leader with a passion for education, Tong brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to serving the diverse communities of RSCCD. Her journey to this leadership position is one of resilience, perseverance, and a steadfast dedication to uplifting others.
Overcoming adversity has been a defining theme in Tong’s life. Growing up in an immigrant family, she understands the challenges many students face in balancing their education with family and work responsibilities. This personal experience fuels her advocacy for increasing support for single parents and expanding online learning opportunities. “I've been given this opportunity to help our community,” Tong shared. “As a district, we’ve changed so many lives, and working with my fellow board members to transform lives brings me great joy.”
A strong proponent of online education, Tong takes great pride in the fact that Santa Ana College (SAC) has become the top online-serving campus in the entire California community college system. She believes that expanding digital learning options is essential in meeting the needs of today’s working students, many of whom juggle multiple responsibilities while pursuing their education.
Beyond her professional commitments, Tong takes immense pride in her Vietnamese heritage. As the first RSCCD board president of Vietnamese descent, she acknowledges the significance of her role in representing not just her community but the entire district. “I want to make sure I don’t bring shame to my community,” she stated. “I represent the entire district and the entire community.”
Her passion for community colleges stems from their inclusive nature and ability to offer second, third, or even fourth chances to those seeking a fresh start. “Our community colleges are always open and invite our community to take advantage of various services, from earning a high school diploma, transferring to a four-year college, or learning an apprenticeship skill or certificate,” she emphasized.
As board president, Tong has set forth key priorities to enhance student success across RSCCD. She plans to focus on increasing online learning access to support working-class students, advocating for Credit for Prior Learning to recognize the diverse experiences of students, particularly veterans, and expanding Middle College opportunities for younger students eager to begin their college journey early. Furthermore, she aims to strengthen community involvement and encourage more people to take the first step toward higher education.
Reflecting on her journey, Tong shared a piece of wisdom from her dad about leadership. “He reminded me that leadership can be a lonely position but that the best decisions are those that allow you to sleep well at night.”
Tong attributed her successes to her parents, culture, and the ability to navigate the ups and downs of life. She concluded by stating that her guiding principle is shaped by knowing that we enter this world in tears but are embraced by smiles. When we depart, what matters are the smiles that permeate our hearts and the impact we leave behind. These guiding principles encapsulate her leadership philosophy—one rooted in gratitude, determination, and a forward-looking vision for the future of RSCCD.
