Face to Face - November 2009

Charlie Nguyen

Campus Director, Las Vegas Campus - University of Phoenix - Las Vegas, NV

Number of Employees: 142

Years in Nevada: 1

Years with Company: 5

What inspired you to get into education?

Empowerment comes through education. What inspired me is knowing that education changes lives – it opens the doors to opportunities, adds value to the existing workforce and ultimately improves our community. At our commencement ceremonies, it is personally rewarding to see how proud students and their families are of the achievements that have been made.

What is your biggest challenge as it relates to the University of Phoenix?

Higher education is in great demand across the country, but according to the latest US Census Bureau statistics, Nevada ranks 47th in the nation for percent of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Only 19 percent of Nevadans have a higher education. In light of the current economy, education has never been more important. I look at this as an opportunity to locally improve the perception of higher education, and showcase how it helps change lives and opens the door to success.

Aside from your family, what is your greatest passion?

Children are the future. Growing up in Vietnam, I understand how challenging it is to grow up in a world without so much and with so many unknowns. My passion is rooted in trying to bring something positive into their bleak worlds – from meeting basic human needs of food and clean water to providing access to education and hope for the future.

If you could meet anyone from history and ask them one question, who would it be and what question would you ask them?

Martin Luther King, Jr. because I admire his persistence and determination. He faced so much adversity in his life and personal struggles. I would love to ask him how he overcame those trying moments and how he summoned up incredible bravery to forge ahead and help bring about change.

What advice would you give to other executives moving into this market?

Relationship building is instrumental in Las Vegas. Take the time to get to know key business leaders in the area from a wide range of industries, including hospitality, education, finance and technology. Make yourself familiar with the top trends and issues in the city and find a way to contribute to the greater community.