Meet the Interim Chief Diversity Officer for Inclusive Excellence

Dr. Michael V. Nguyen

Meet Dr. Michael V. Nguyen, Sacramento State's very own cultural changemaker! As Interim Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Nguyen is on a mission to make campus a more inclusive, vibrant place for everyone. Armed with his expertise as a cross-cultural psychologist, he's led the charge on transforming organizational culture not just in higher education but across industries like healthcare, tech, and law.

Dr. Nguyen’s secret? A people-first, systems-savvy approach that’s all about building environments where diversity thrives. Whether he’s crunching data, mapping out sustainable strategies, or working hand-in-hand with students and faculty, he’s all about collaboration and making real, lasting impact.

Before taking on his current role, Dr. Nguyen was the AVP of Inclusive Excellence and Executive Director of the Office for Cultural Transformation at Sac State. He’s also been a professor, directed academic assessment, and even launched the inaugural Office of Research and Assessment in Student Affairs at CSU San Bernardino—talk about a resume!

But don’t let his titles fool you—Dr. Nguyen is as down-to-earth as they come. He’s traveled the world working with everyone from startups to Fortune 500 companies, bringing his human-centered, AI-enhanced cultural strategy to life. With a PhD from Emory University (where he was an Emory Global Health Institute Scholar), Dr. Nguyen is always thinking big while staying grounded in the things that matter most: people, inclusion, and making a difference.

Sac State couldn’t ask for a more passionate advocate for diversity and belonging!