Dr. Sarah Lam | Access Magazine

Earlier this year, Dr. Sarah Lam was appointed assistant vice president of international affairs and senior international officer. Through these roles, Lam will work toward internationalizing the broad scope of Fresno State’s programs and activities. 

“I hope to see that students, staff, faculty, and administrators embrace global perspectives in their respective roles and interactions with one another,” Lam said. “Global perspectives involve a sense of awareness and appreciation of differences and similarities across cultures and nations, a sense of oneness in building a better world for oneself and others, and a sense of sharing perspectives and resources to support one another.”

Her passion and vision for international affairs is also shaped by her personal experience as an international student. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Hong Kong, Lam attended Fresno State as an international student, where she earned her master’s degree in marriage, family, and child counseling. Lam also has her Ed.D in educational leadership from Fresno State’s joint doctoral program with University of California, Davis. Similarly, her leadership over the University’s study abroad and exchange efforts is influenced by her time as a study abroad student from Fresno State to Spain. 

With more than 20 years of experience as a Fresno State faculty member, Lam has worked in a wide range of roles, all with a common theme of education. She began her career at 23 as a high school teacher, then became a counselor to students of all ages. Her focus on higher education began with her teaching position in the Counselor Education Program, where she not only helped counselor trainees grow, but helped them do the same for others. Connecting people for mutual growth is something Lam said has become a driving force behind her personal career goal of “transforming individuals into wholesome people.”

Reflecting on an impressive personal resume, she considers the success of others a focus of her own career. Creating new initiatives and watching their impact on campus is an important feature for Lam, in addition to bringing the good news about Fresno State abroad. Overall, though, Lam cites seeing students grow, develop, and fulfill their dreams as a true highlight of her career.

Access Magazine is a publication of The Division of Continuing & Global Education at Fresno State.