Rice University Master of Global Affairs (MGA) student Jessica Phuong Ngo was recently named a Next-Gen Leader for Southeast Asia, sponsored by the Temasek Foundation and the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
On track to graduate in 2026, Ngo is a native of Vietnam who has called Houston her second home for more than 16 years. Ngo has had a rich and diverse career, situated at the intersection of diplomacy, protocol, trade and international affairs.
“I’ve been working for some time now, and I felt this was the right moment to complete graduate school,” said Ngo. “Along with my fellow cohort members, our different backgrounds offer a wide variety of unique perspectives.”
For over five years, Ngo served as chief of protocol for the City of Houston at the Mayor's Office of Trade and International Affairs, leading diplomatic protocol, cross-cultural exchanges, international engagements, and partnerships for Houston. Ngo made history as the first Asian to serve in this role for the city.
“I think it’s a true testament to the inclusive spirit of Houston,” said Ngo. “I was honored to be entrusted with the role, and grateful for the opportunities to meet and follow in the footsteps of so many great leaders and mentors along the way.”
While working at the City, Ngo collaborated with the University of Houston to lead an education and trade mission to Vietnam. The team traveled to different high schools in Vietnam and encouraged students to consider Houston for pursuing higher education. Ngo also participated in university forums across Vietnam to discuss the future of higher education in a digital and green economy.
“I've seen how having access to education can change someone’s whole life,” said Ngo.
Ngo currently serves as a policy advisor for the U.S. House of Representatives, 18th Congressional District. She advised the late Congressman Sylvester Turner on foreign policy and leads the district’s international initiatives, with a focus on extending global connections and creating opportunities to benefit the district’s diverse communities and Houston as a whole.
Ngo is also a licensed protocol and intercultural etiquette trainer who teaches diplomatic protocol and business etiquette to students, companies, government entities, and other organizations. She has led trainings regularly at the University of Houston, as well as in various cities across the United States and Asia.
“We're living in a very interesting time where the more culturally aware you are, the better it can serve you,” said Ngo.
Ngo’s extensive professional background is what connected her to Rice and the MGA program. During her time with the City, she was part of a trade mission to Paris around the time the Rice Global Paris Center launched.
“Rice University is more than an academic or research institution,” said Ngo. “It really is an intellectual hub for Houston. Rice’s international connections and diversity sparked my initial interest.”
Given her background in international affairs, Rice’s MGA program was a natural fit.
“The MGA is a very interesting program that combines academic rigor with real-world application,” said Ngo. She added, “I love working with our professors and experts. They help immensely with mentoring and tailoring our studies to our career interests and strengths.”
Ngo credits Abbey Godley, assistant dean for student programs for the School of Social Sciences, and Mark Jones, chair of the MGA program, for their encouragement to apply for the Temasek Foundation-Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (TF-LKYSPP) Southeast Asia Next-Gen Leaders Programme.
“Not only is Jessica incredibly intelligent and hardworking, but the depth of her passion for improving international relations between the U.S. and Southeast Asia is unmatched,” said Godley. “She had our full support in applying to become a Southeast Asia Next-Gen Leader.”
The TF-LKYSPP Southeast Asia Next-Gen Leaders Programme aims to build a strategic network of emerging leaders across the regions of Southeast Asia through collaborations, regional trust, and shared understanding. A highly competitive cross-sectoral program, the acceptance rate is under 10%. Ngo, one of just 35 participants, recently completed the program’s Online Futures Thinking Workshop, which involved planning strategically for the complex, ever-changing regions of the world. The second phase of the program will bring Ngo to the Philippines for a Regional Learning Journey, where participants will deepen their understanding of public policy challenges and governance across Southeast Asia through immersive, on-the-ground experiences.
With a growing reputation as a rising voice in ASEAN and Asian Affairs, Ngo brings a unique blend of soft power insight and international policy to connect local leadership and global engagement. Once she has completed the TF-LKYSPP Southeast Asia Next-Gen Leaders Programme and has graduated from the MGA program, Ngo plans to continue her work in building the bridge between the U.S. and Asia relations.
“My goal is to help build a more resilient and prosperous world across communities, regions, and generations, and I'm still very hopeful that we can get there.” said Ngo. “I aim to combine the skillset and leadership perspectives developed throughout my career, along with foundations built from the MGA program and the TF-LKYSPP Southeast Asia Next-Gen Leaders Programme with smart policies to help positively influence global policymaking. This opportunity is about strengthening cross-regional ties at a time when the world is watching.”
Rice University’s Master of Global Affairs is a two-year professional master’s degree co-sponsored by the James A. Baker, III Institute for Public Policy and the School of Social Sciences. Our location in the heart of Houston, Texas provides the perfect setting for students to engage with global energy companies, Fortune 500 organizations, local and Federal government entities, and international nonprofits.