03/26/2026
We’re incredibly grateful to Chancellor Joanne Li for taking the time to speak at a CEO meeting before spring break.
She detailed growing up in Hong Kong with limited resources, to stepping into multiple leadership roles across the U.S., to working her way to Chancellor. She spoke about the roadblocks she faced as a woman, Asian, immigrant, and first-generation college student—and how she navigated them with resilience and determination.
Her story is a powerful reminder that your identity and starting point do not define your future. Your current situation is just one chapter, not your whole story. Through perseverance, self-awareness, and staying true to what works best for you, anything is possible.
One message that stuck with all of us: “What I see in you, you have yet to discover.”
She encouraged students to believe in their potential no matter what. Something that can be applied no matter what career path you choose. Chancellor Li emphasized having a strong support system, working in ways that best fit YOU, and focusing on the things that will truly add value to your life.
Chancellor Li, thank you for giving students the opportunity to hear such an empowering story. You continue to inspire students to believe in their potential, focus on what truly matters, and build their own path to success. It is obvious how much you care about your students here at UNO.
📸: Jared Craig
