Dr. Phuong currently serves as the Country Director for the Higher Engineering Education Alliance Program (HEEAP).
Prior to this role, she was the Country Director for Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) operations in Vietnam for ten years (2007-2016). Dr. Phuong oversaw three VEF exchange programs, providing fellowships and grants for 665 excellent individuals to do graduate studies in the U.S., post-docs in the U.S., or teaching in Vietnam. These programs contributed significantly to developing highly trained human resources for Vietnam in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. Before becoming the VEF Country Director, Dr. Phuong worked as VEF's part-time Representative while maintaining the role of Senior Officer in the Office of International Relations and Research Affairs and as Lecturer at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City. Dr. Phuong also played a key role as coordinator for three, and co-author of two, VEF-sponsored research projects on undergraduate education for selected fields in Vietnam.
Dr. Phuong was born in Tra On District, Vinh Long Province, Vietnam. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Linguistics and Literature from University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and her Bachelor of Sciences degree in Hotel and Tourism Management from Hanoi Open University, Ho Chi Minh City Campus. She completed her Master of Arts degree in Comparative Linguistics from University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In 2005, Dr. Phuong attained her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Texas Tech University in the U.S. while gaining a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. education system and culture. Besides research in cooperative learning, general education programs, and multicultural education, her main research interests include accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and quality improvement.
Previous aspects of her career included serving as English Teacher, Saigon Floating Hotel; Assistant to the General Manager for Vietnam, EIE International Corporation; Deputy Manager, Phong Lan Hotel and Restaurant; and Executive Secretary to the General Director, Mekong Hacota Joint-Venture Company. She also served as Adjunct Faculty at University of Social Sciences and Humanities- Ho Chi Minh City; Hanoi Open University, Ho Chi Minh City Campus; Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology (HUFLIT); and Lotus College.
On the personal side, she enjoys meditation, walking, music, and moments in nature.