The Office of International Services (OIS) is pleased to welcome Le To as the new Sponsored Student Program Manager. With a wealth of experience in international education and student advising, Le is excited to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to NC State.
Background & Role
Le’s journey in international education began when she arrived in Ohio as an exchange student from Vietnam during her junior year of high school. Determined to earn a degree from an English-speaking country, she pursued her undergraduate studies in North Carolina at Elon University.
“In Vietnam, if you can speak English fluently, you’ll receive more competitive advantages in the labor market,” Le shares. “I happened to do very well in English (as a subject in grade school at that time), so one of my goals was to be able to go study abroad and get a Bachelor’s Degree from an English speaking country. So I worked my way up from an exchange program into getting my bachelor’s degree from Elon University.”
Following her undergraduate education, Le began working with international student advising at New Mind Education, where she also gained experience in international recruitment. Her career path led her to public universities, serving as a Graduate Services Coordinator at UNC Chapel Hill’s Department of Applied Sciences and later at NC State’s Department of Mathematics. Now, she takes on a dynamic new challenge as the Sponsored Student Program Manager at OIS.
“I like it because I get to apply both the business skills and the advising and working with international students skills that I’ve been able to gain and perfect in my last 10 years of working in higher education,” Le explains. “I love meeting and developing partnerships with like-minded professionals who want to inspire and help students go beyond their comfort zone for global opportunities.”
Supporting Sponsored Students at NC State
In her new role, Le is responsible for connecting with sponsors, government officials, and organizations worldwide to recruit high-achieving international students to NC State. She also ensures these students have a positive experience on campus by providing advising, developing support programs, and fostering a sense of community.
“Sponsored students deserve extra care and attention because they go through very rigorous processes to be chosen for sponsorship from their countries and governments,” Le notes. “Part of my job is to take care of them, honor their achievements, and ensure they have a rewarding experience at NC State.”
Le’s collaboration across campus has already begun, working closely with the Undergraduate Admissions Office and the Graduate School to ensure smooth transitions for sponsored students. She also coordinates with different colleges to expand recruitment efforts and enhance research and professional development opportunities.
Looking Ahead: Initiatives and Goals
Among Le’s key priorities is diversifying the portfolio of international sponsored students at NC State. She is also eager to implement Sunapsis, a tracking system that will allow OIS to better monitor and report on sponsored students’ progress and achievements.
“Using Sunapsis, we can have better data on these students as well as provide reports back to their sponsors when needed,” she says. “It’s an important step in improving our support system.”
Engaging with the Campus Community
Faculty, staff, and sponsored international students are encouraged to connect with Le via email or phone, especially for inquiries related to sponsored student admissions, funding structures, or other support needs.
With her passion for international education and student success, Le To is poised to make a lasting impact at OIS and beyond. She hopes the NC State community will take the opportunity to learn more about the unique experiences of sponsored students.
“Sponsored students are often identified as top performers in their countries or universities. They carry that same high-achieving mindset here,” Le emphasizes. “Be curious about where they come from, their journey, and what it took for them to be here at NC State. Their stories are inspiring, and the campus should know that.”
