April Vuong, Ed. D.

Director of Learning and Development

EDUCATION:

Ed.D., Educational Leadership – Higher Administration, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 2016

M.A. TESOL, Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Westcliff University, Irvine, 2013

M.A., International Studies, Concordia University, Irvine, 2008 

B.A., International Studies – Economics, University of California, San Diego, 2006

 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Dr. April Vuong is the Dean of Student Affairs at Westcliff University. She has been with Westcliff since 2012, and also serves as the Title IX and ADA Coordinator. Her philosophy of leadership encompasses authenticity, compassion, empathy, and accountability. Dr. Vuong currently leads a team of over 15 student advisors who serve as students’ point of contact from the start of their academic journey to graduation. She earned her Ed.D. from USC, where she completed a dissertation titled Supporting faculty for successful online instruction: Factors for effective onboarding and professional development, which led to publishing opportunities and leading presentations at conferences.

At Westcliff University, Dr. Vuong previously served as the Director of International Affairs, where she developed the new department as Westcliff grew both in student population and international affiliates. She directly supervised the international student advisors and was also heavily involved with training the international affiliate institutions (AI), including multiple trips overseas to provide training to the AI staff. Additionally, she previously held other director roles that also gave her the opportunity to support students and faculty. 

Dr. Vuong’s own international experience includes teaching in Shanghai, China and visits to numerous countries for both leisure and business. Through her overseas experience, she found her passion for helping international students embark on a unique journey of cultural exchange. 

Her goal is to continue to provide support to students and to introduce new programs such as health and wellness and study abroad programs for all students, staff, and faculty. She loves yoga, qigong, and many other forms of energy healing and meditation. Dr. Vuong continues to balance her professional, personal, and spiritual journey as she creates the space for others to reach their highest potential to achieve their professional goals and live authentically.