Kim H. Tran

As the senior advisor to the president, Kim H. Tran facilitates critical processes and manages an array of issues in areas across the university such as academic affairs, budget, external affairs, foundation development, human resources, and risk management. In this capacity, he is a member of the university’s executive leadership team at Illinois' only four-year US Department of Education-designated Predominantly Black Institution. Through his years of experience fighting for equity in higher education, Tran continues to be passionate about educating and supporting underserved communities.

Tran joined Chicago State University in November 2018 as the administration’s first deputy chief of staff. Prior to that, he was pursuing a doctorate degree in international relations and political methodology at New York University and the Pennsylvania State University. Tran previously served as the inaugural policy director for the Campaign for College Opportunity where he focused on reforming higher education public policy to improve access to college and increase degree competition rates for students.

Tran graduated with a BA in political science from the University of California, Berkeley and holds a MA in politics from New York University.