President’s awardee Cao aims to instill hope through leadership Ph.D.

In addition to her doctoral degree from the School of Education, she was also recognized during graduation by La Sierra University President Christon Arthur with the President’s Award for Outstanding University Graduate Student.

According to School of Education Dean, Dr. Chang-Ho Ji, “what sets Dr. Cao apart is not only herimpressive credentials but also her character. She embodies integrity, compassion, and a spirit of service, striving to uplift others. Her faith and values are evident in her work and interactions, and she is deeply committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of students and colleagues alike.”

Since arriving on campus in 2019, Cao’s focus was fixed not only on the rigors of her classes––she noticed and resonated with the plight of other international students and took intentional steps to assist them beginning in 2020.

“Sometimes it meant helping them through assignments,” she said. “Other times, it was simply being there, listening, sharing my own journey, or being that one familiar, friendly face when everything else felt foreign. I shared my story so they would not feel alone in theirs. Over time, I watched them grow, finding their voice, their courage, and eventually their confidence. The most rewarding moments came when those I mentored chose to become mentors themselves.

“International students often carry invisible burdens,” Cao noted, “academic pressures, cultural adjustment, loneliness, and the struggle to navigate unfamiliar systems.”

Her advice to international students who are just embarking on their educational journey at La Sierra is to find their community and know they are not alone. “Do not be afraid to ask for help and remember that your diversity is a strength. La Sierra is a place that values your journey. It is a place where you can truly belong and thrive,” Cao said.

Faith transformation

Cao said she chose to enroll at La Sierra because of the university’s incorporation of faith, service and scholarship and its alignment with her own values. After completing an MBA at Cal State East Bay, Cao began searching online for a university to pursue a higher degree. Because she had always been “spiritually curious,” an interest that included reading the Bible and volunteering with different religious communities, she researched programs that aligned academic rigor and faith-based mission, she said.

“My spiritual journey at La Sierra led me to fully embrace the values of the Adventist faith." -- Vy Cao, Ph.D., Instructional Leadership, School of Education

“That is when I came across La Sierra University,” Cao said. “The phrase ‘Seventh-day Adventist University’ caught my attention, and the more I learned, the more I felt it was the place where I could thrive both intellectually and spiritually.”

At La Sierra, Cao embarked upon a spiritual journey that deepened into committed belief. In 2023, Cao was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist faith. “My spiritual journey at La Sierra led me to fully embrace the values of the Adventist faith: service, compassion, and living with purpose. It was a turning point in my life that I will always treasure.,” she said.

“La Sierra did not just respect my faith; it nurtured it,” Cao continued. “I was encouraged to let it shape my work, my leadership, and my purpose. The university’s values of integrity, compassion, and service were not just words on paper. I saw them lived out by my professors, my peers, and the campus community.”

Future forward

Cao earned her Master of Business Administration degree from CSU East Bay in 2018, and her BA in Business Administration from Saigon University in Vietnam in 2012. Her parents and two brothers continue to live in Vietnam while her sister traveled to the U.S. to earn an MBA at CSU San Bernardino and now works at a financial office in Orange County.

Cao looks forward to incorporating the work and knowledge of her doctoral degree into her career plans and the impact she hopes to make with the next generation. Her experience includes ongoing service as an advisor for the Future Business Leaders of America at Centennial High School in Corona. She supports students in their preparation for regional and state-level competitions which are held to prepare students for careers in business.

“I want to help young people navigate the challenges of today’s world." -- Vy Cao, Ph.D., Instructional Leadership

She also contributed to the Valuegenesis IV research project, which studies the spiritual lives and values of Adventist youth. It is a long-standing collaboration between La Sierra University, the North American Division of the Adventist Church, and the John Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry.

“My dissertation also focuses on adolescent development, specifically exploring how internet use impacts internet addiction and mental health, offering a more positive and purposeful perspective on internet function in their lives,” Cao said.

“My goal is to become an inspirational [and] transformative leader in education,” continued Cao. “I want to help young people navigate the challenges of today’s world, especially in areas such as mental health, digital wellness, identity formation, and how education can be more engaging, meaningful, and empowering for every learner. My Ph.D. has given me both the academic tools and the spiritual clarity to pursue that mission with greater impact.”

Cao said plans to continue her work in youth development, positive psychology, and faith-based education, “to empower young people to succeed academically while also growing in character and resilience,” she said.

“Wherever I go, I want to carry the spirit of La Sierra with me,” said Cao. “It is a spirit that affirms faith and scholarship can grow together, and that true leadership is rooted in compassion.”