Dr. Veronique V. Tran serves as the Founding Vice Provost of the School of Manufacturing & Industrial Technology at Dallas College, where she leads large-scale, workforce-aligned programs that expand access to high-demand careers and drive regional economic mobility across advanced manufacturing and other applied workforce sectors critical to regional growth. In this role, she oversees multi-campus academic and workforce programs, builds industry partnerships, and advances training models that connect students directly to employment and career advancement opportunities.
With more than 30 years of experience spanning engineering, research, and higher education leadership, Dr. Tran has held senior leadership roles across community colleges and universities, including Lee College, Lone Star College, Rice University, and the University of Houston. She is recognized for building high-impact academic and career and technical education programs, strengthening student success outcomes, and aligning education systems with workforce demand and regional economic priorities. Her leadership is grounded in a student-centered approach and a commitment to collaborative innovation—bringing together faculty, staff, industry, and community partners to design programs and systems that expand opportunity, strengthen career pathways, and deliver results aligned with evolving workforce and regional needs. She was selected as a 2019–2020 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow through the Aspen Institute, recognizing leaders committed to advancing student success and institutional excellence.
Dr. Tran is known as a highly relational and values-driven leader who builds trust through transparency, communication, and consistent follow-through, and maintains a visible, engaged presence across campuses and communities. She brings a track record of strengthening organizational alignment, empowering faculty and staff, and fostering cultures of innovation and continuous improvement. Her work centers on expanding access, improving student outcomes, and advancing economic mobility—ensuring education serves as a powerful engine for individual advancement and regional prosperity. She plays an active role in regional and statewide workforce initiatives, partnering with industry and economic development leaders to strengthen talent pipelines and advance key sectors driving regional prosperity.
Dr. Tran began her educational journey as a first-generation community college student before transferring to the University of Houston, where she earned a degree in chemical engineering. She started her career as an engineer with Shell, supporting production operations in Michigan, where she developed an early understanding of industry operations and workforce needs. She went on to complete her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering through a joint program with the UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and the University of Texas at Arlington, and conducted postdoctoral research at Yale University. This academic and professional journey drives her commitment to expanding access and building clear pathways to opportunity for all students.
A Vietnamese-American leader, child refugee, and breast cancer survivor, Dr. Tran draws on her lived experiences to champion resilience, opportunity, and belonging. She is deeply committed to helping others overcome barriers, build agency, and navigate pathways to achieve life-changing careers. She and her husband are proud parents of two adult sons.