A nationally recognized leader in bilingual and multilingual education, Natalie Tran will assume the role of interim dean of the College of Education, effective July 21.
Tran joined Cal State Fullerton in 2010 as a faculty member in the Department of Secondary Education and has since taken on numerous leadership roles across the College of Education. Over the years, she has held key administrative positions, including chair of the Department of Secondary Education, chair of the Department of Special Education and director of the Educational Doctoral Program.
Sean E. Walker, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, described Tran as “an advocate for all” and a leader who is “collaborative, transparent, and committed to just, equitable, and inclusive education.”
A professor of educational leadership, Tran currently serves as director of the California State University Asian Language Bilingual Teacher Education Program Consortium and director of the National Resource Center for Asian Languages.
Her work centers on expanding access to dual language immersion programs, supporting less commonly taught Asian languages and advancing educational equity. Tran has founded several impactful initiatives, including a community literacy project that has produced over 100 Vietnamese children’s books and a virtual language program serving learners worldwide. Widely published and supported by significant grant funding, her scholarship and service have earned her numerous honors for promoting diversity, multilingualism and student success in education.
In addition to her administrative leadership, Tran has been actively engaged in university service, contributing to committees such as the University Advancement Board, serving as faculty representative for the CSUF Philanthropic Board and participating on a Department Personnel Committee.
“I am humbled and honored to serve as interim dean of the College of Education,” Tran said. “Our faculty, staff, students and community partners play a vital role in the college’s success and the impact it has made locally, regionally and globally. It is a privilege to work alongside them as we continue to advance the college’s mission through just, equitable, inclusive education; technology integration; community engagement; and innovation.”
Tran earned her Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, along with an M.Ed. in education and B.S. in psychobiology from UCLA.