Gigi Do strives to enhance international education opportunities at UHCL

At the age of 8, Gigi Do came to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam. Raised partly in Washington and Georgia, Do has lived in Houston since 1991 and has over 25 years of work experience in international education. Now, she steps into the new position of assistant vice president for global learning and strategy and senior international officer at the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL).

“Things were not always easy as a war refugee in what was essentially small-town America, but most Americans were accepting and many were very caring,” Do said. “My siblings and I thrived largely because our parents valued education, but also because we were lucky to be accepted into a land of equality and opportunity. I really believe that. I have never forgotten that.”

Do received her master’s in sociology from the University of Houston and her doctorate from the University of Texas in Higher Education Leadership. Prior to joining UHCL, Do worked as the executive director of the office of international programs at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Additionally, Do spent 13 years as the executive director of international initiatives for Houston Community College.

“Dr. Do brings a wealth of experience beyond just recruiting international students,” said Steven Berberich, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, in a May 23 press release. “She has extensive experience in creating study abroad programs and has effectively networked within the city of Houston in support of international students.”

In this new position, Do aims to strengthen the university’s connection to global education opportunities and understanding.

“In this role, I would like to promote global competencies for the UHCL community,” Do said. “I want to bring education opportunities for our students so that they can investigate the world beyond their immediate environment, recognize their own perspectives and respect others, communicate their ideas effectively with diverse audiences, and translate these ideas into appropriate actions to improve our world. I hope we can do this through our education abroad programs, bringing more international students and perspectives into the classrooms, and providing opportunities for our faculty and staff to have global engagements.”

In regard to upcoming projects, Do said there are several proposals she is waiting to take shape before providing more detailed information.

“[The proposals] all come from the priorities I am set to do, which is to create education abroad for, if I can have it my way, every UHCL student attending here,” Do said. “Every student who graduates with our degrees [should] have at least one education abroad experience [as it] would enrich them to be a global employee I think.”

Additionally, Do said the university wants to attract more international students to attend UHCL by tapping into the existing diverse student community.

“Having the dormitory is definitely going to make it a lot easier for students to consider [UHCL] if they come from a faraway place in the world,” Do said.

Do would also like to make use of partnerships she developed at previous institutions to increase the potential for more study abroad opportunities at UHCL

“I hope to establish faculty exchange, student exchanges, program exchanges and, ultimately, increase the revenue for our international office so we can do more of these wonderful things,” Do said.

When she has free time, Do loves trying out restaurants that serve various ethnic foods and going to thrift stores and estate sales with her daughter.

“We love finding little, unique treasures that have untold histories and cannot be duplicated,” Do said.

When it comes to offering students advice, Do believes they should strive for “global citizenship.”

“See yourselves as the member of the world with the whole-world philosophy and sensibilities rather than just being a citizen of a particular nation or place,” Do said.

Do also said her father was the one to give her the best piece of advice: ‘Do what you love, not what you’re told to love.’