Interim President Wong pens chapter for new book on Chinese American leaders in higher education
Interim President Leslie E. Wong has contributed a chapter to a new book, . Part of the book series International Perspectives on Social Policy, Administration and Practice, the book was published online at the end of December and in print this month.
Wong鈥檚 chapter, aims to 鈥渃larify many of the assumptions of leadership that are won and lost by an awareness of the dynamics鈥� of what Wong refers to as intangibles鈥斺�渃ampus expectations of you, a community鈥檚 expectations of you, your values, their values, their prevailing attitudes, or their sense of your 鈥榩ersonality.鈥欌��
Wong writes, 鈥淎merican culture can picture [Asian Americans] as teachers, doctors, lawyers and counselors. But this culture has a hard time picturing us as CEOs, head coaches, generals and military commanders. 鈥he most intangible of all intangibles may be whether our public sees that we do have the 鈥榮tuff鈥� to lead. Having the 鈥榬ight stuff鈥� is the key aspect of leadership stereotypes we work against and the most fragile of perceptions to sustain.鈥�
Wong became interim president of 51吃瓜黑料 on July 1, 2023. He previously served as president of San Francisco State University and Northern Michigan University, as well as interim president of the University of Southern Colorado.
鈥淚'm so honored to be part of this project,鈥� Wong said. 鈥淭he book is a trendsetting book, the first to collect the stories of Asian American higher education leaders. There are so few of us; all of us hope our text will guide a new generation of leaders. Many of the authors are my friends and I am proud to be included with them.鈥�
He added, 鈥淭he text is a vivid reminder that I must continue to learn from those around me here at 51吃瓜黑料. The incredible culture of teaching and learning at 51吃瓜黑料 motivates me to be intellectually engaged and productive.鈥�
