Thanh Minh Le, interim associate director of Student Activities for Student Organizations at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, has been named director of Student Engagement and Leadership at West Virginia University.
The new leadership position was created by Vice President of Student Life Dr. William Schafer as part of an initiative to build a positive campus culture, enhance the overall student experience and actively support valuable co-curricular learning experiences outside the classroom. There will be a strong focus on building capacity and leadership among students across the entire campus as part of this position.
As director, Le will report to Corey Farris, associate vice president and dean of students, and will provide strategic vision and leadership to more than 450 student-led organizations. These groups span the full imagination and interests of a vibrant student body, including academic and professional interests, the arts, community service, recreation and club sports, booster groups, honorary societies, cultural, political, and spiritual-based organizations.
“I’m delighted to have Thanh join WVU and Student Life. He is going to provide excellent leadership development opportunities for our students,” Farris said. “His efforts will enhance the positive culture change we are affording our students in Student Life and throughout WVU.”
Le will work with Schafer and other university leaders to develop programs for WVU’s Project 168 and out-of-classroom experiences as they relate to engagement and leadership and align with the ongoing efforts to promote culture change and the student life mission.
“My hope is to bring positive energy and vibrancy to the newly-formed area of student engagement,” Le said. “I am excited about the opportunity to create new and improved programs that provide transformative leadership opportunities for the students at WVU. I am anxious to meet and work with all the dynamic student leaders on campus.”
Prior to his interim position, Le served students and staff in several different roles at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, including assistant director of student activities for special programs, assistant director of student activities for evening and weekend programs, as well as serving as a graduate assistant for the campus activities board.
He earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering, master’s degrees in electrical engineering and engineering management from the University of North Carolina Charlotte and is currently working on a doctorate of education in educational leadership with an emphasis on higher education from UNC-Charlotte. He is anticipated to graduate in May 2017 from this program. Le was the 2015 recipient of the of Outstanding Campus Activities (South Region) Outstanding Professional Award.
Le joined WVU on a part-time basis effective March 30, and will assume his full-time position July 1.
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ta/04/04/16
CONTACT: Jason Broadwater; Student Life Communications
304.293.8863; Jason.Broadwater@mail.wvu.edu
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