Veronique V. Tran today began her work as Gateway Technical College’s newest president, overseeing operations for the nation’s oldest publicly funded technical college in America.
Tran replaces outgoing interim President and CEO Morgan Phillips, who served in the role for the past year.
Tran was named president and CEO after a nationwide search was conducted in Fall 2025 and early 2026. Gateway Board Chairperson Jason Tadlock said today marks an exciting new chapter for Gateway Technical College.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to officially welcome Dr. Tran as she begins her first day with Gateway,” he said.
“Throughout the hiring process, Dr. Tran demonstrated a deep commitment to students, staff and community engagement. We are excited to partner with her as we continue building on Gateway’s strengths and creating new opportunities for the future.”
Tran formerly served as the founding vice provost of the School of Manufacturing & Industrial Technology at Dallas College.
“Gateway’s greatest strength has always been its people – dedicated employees, ambitious students, proud alumni and the strong industry and community partnerships cultivated throughout its 115-year history,” said Dr. Tran. “I am honored to join this remarkable institution and help lead Gateway into its next chapter of opportunity and impact.”
Tadlock said a key board member responsibility is to select a president who can lead the college forward while honoring the values of the community.
“We believe we found that leader in Dr. Tran,” he said. “As she begins her first day at Gateway, I want to personally welcome her and thank everyone who participated in the search process. We are excited to begin this journey together and look forward to all that we will accomplish on behalf of our students.”
Tran’s leadership roles span private industry as well as higher education. She served as a facilities engineer in production operations for Shell Western Exploration and Production for many years – including work in Michigan – before shifting her career to higher education. She was a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University and served in leadership roles at four-year universities as well as community colleges. Tran, a community college graduate herself, brings an innovative spirit and perspective to her role at Gateway.
“I am deeply committed to leading Gateway Technical College as we continue building an institution that opens doors of opportunity and serves as a lifelong home base for the people of our tri-county region,” said Tran.
As a first-generation college student, Tran completed her general education coursework at Lone Star College in Houston, her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center & University of Texas at Arlington.