When students wander into Sherry Leung’s office on the ground floor of the University Student Center, they are greeted by a sign that reads “I can do hard things” as well as a warm, kind face sitting across from them.
While they might not leave with a completely solved problem, they’ll almost certainly leave feeling heard and respected.
Leung is the director of student support at GW, a role requiring her to wear many hats. She oversees the CARE Team, which is the university’s case management system that connects students who might be struggling with resources on and off campus. She also chairs the university’s Behavioral Intervention Team, where stakeholders such as Counseling and Psychological Services, GWPD, Campus Living and Residential Education, Title IX and others meet to coordinate intervention strategies to help students succeed.
Her team also oversees some of GW’s basic needs initiatives, including The Store, student assistance funds and various wellbeing programming offered through the Division for Student Affairs.
At its core, Leung believes her job and that of her office is to reach students who might be having a difficult time or experiencing a challenge to make sure they are not alone and that they feel cared for during this transition period of their life.
“Here’s what I believe: the work of student support is essential because we all need a friend sometimes,” said Leung, now in her ninth academic year working at GW. “We all need a shoulder to lean on and a safe space to talk through stress without judgment. Listening is a tool we don’t use enough. Our office is here to truly listen—to be that support person for you.”
Leung feels connected and passionate about her job—where no two days are alike—in part because she herself is a first-generation college student. Her mother always instilled in her that education was a gateway to a better future and better opportunities, and Leung leaned on a strong community of family members who uplifted her through her own journey.
She can’t think of anything more rewarding than helping give that opportunity to other students.
“It’s really important and incredible that I get to do a job every day where I’m providing service to a larger community, making sure people feel supported and cared for during an exciting but challenging time in their lives,” Leung said.
Leung, an avid runner and foodie away from the office, previously served with AmeriCorps City Year in a third-grade classroom, which solidified her desire to give to communities through education. She feels fortunate at GW to work with other professionals who she thinks also care deeply about students, from their development to overall wellbeing.
She believes small actions matter and that challenges are just moments in time. She reminds students not to define themselves by the obstacles they are facing and to allow themselves grace to move forward. Helping them navigate that continues to drive her.
“I’ve been fortunate to be here long enough to see students develop from their first year all the way through graduation and Commencement,” Leung said. “Being part of their journey from start to finish, seeing the transformation, celebrating those little growth moments—that means everything to me.”
Without further ado, meet Sherry Leung:
