Dr. Dung Q. Tran is an Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership in the School of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, U.S.A., and an Adjunct Faculty member in both the Ph.D. in Leadership Studies as well as the M.A. in Theology and Leadership programs at Gonzaga. Prior to relocating to the Inland Northwest, Dr. Tran taught doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate courses in Team Development, Organizational Integrity, and Ignatian Leadership at multiple Catholic and Jesuit universities in Philadelphia, Seattle, and Los Angeles.
Working at the nexus of organizational leadership and the Catholic, Jesuit, and humanistic educational traditions, Professor Tran is interested in how spiritual, ethical, and values-based perspectives shape leader identity development and leadership theory and practice. Dr. Tran is second editor of Servant-Leadership and Forgiveness: How Leaders Help Heal the Heart of the World (SUNY Press, 2020). He has also authored or co-authored articles and book chapters on Pope Francis’ rhetoric of reform, Jesuit-informed casuistry, the inclusive and relational leadership of Popes John XXIII and Francis, Jesuit higher education leadership, the role of forgiveness in the Catholic clergy sexual abuse scandal and cover-up, workplace spirituality, Ignatian discernment, Benedictine spirituality, and, the intersection of sport and servant-leadership in the lives of racecar driver Takuma Sato and religious Sister Rose Ann Fleming, S.N.D.deN.
Dr. Tran’s peer-reviewed work has appeared in Philosophy of Management; the International Journal of the History of Sport; Humanistic Management Journal; the International Journal of Servant-Leadership; Communication Research Trends; the Journal of Catholic Education; the Asian-American Theological Forum; and in the following anthologies: Sacred Rhetoric: Discourses in Identity and Meaning (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2024); The Routledge Companion to Leadership and Change (Routledge, 2023); Perceptions of East Asian and North American Asian Athletics (Palgrave, 2022); Reimagining Leadership on the Commons: Shifting the Paradigm for a More Ethical, Equitable, and Just World (Emerald, 2021); The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Well-Being (Palgrave, 2021); The Routledge Companion to Mindfulness at Work (Routledge, 2021); New Horizons in Positive Leadership and Change: A Practical Guide for Workplace Transformation (Springer, 2020); Evolving Leadership for Collective Wellbeing: Lessons for Implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Emerald, 2019); The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment (Palgrave, 2018); and Breaking the Zero-Sum Game: Transforming Societies Through Inclusive Leadership (Emerald, 2017).
Additionally, Professor Tran has presented his research at the Academy of Management (AOM); the International Leadership Association (ILA); the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools (IAJBS); the International Thomas Merton Society (ITMS); Colleagues in Jesuit Business Education (CJBE); the National Communication Association (NCA); and Western States Communication Association (WSCA). In addition to his teaching and scholarship, Dr. Tran contributes to several initiatives associated with the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. He is currently a member of the National Seminar on Jesuit Higher Education, and serves as Web and Associate Editor of Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education. Dr. Tran is also a past Vice President of the Board of Directors for Alpha Sigma Nu, the international honor society of Jesuit colleges and universities.
The son of Vietnamese refugees, Professor Tran earned his doctorate in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University and completed his master’s degree in Theological Studies – with emphases in Spirituality and Catholic Higher Education – at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. Dr. Tran also holds Washington and California Teaching Credentials in History, a master’s degree in Secondary Education, and two bachelor’s degrees in Communication Studies and Theology from Loyola Marymount University.
Edited Book
Song, J., Tran, D. Q., Ferch, S. R., & Spears, L. C. (Eds.). (2020). Servant-leadership and forgiveness: How leaders help heal the heart of the world. SUNY Press.
Peer-Reviewed Journals
Carey, M. R., & Tran, D. Q. (2023). Deconstruction, choice, reconstruction, and integration: Insights from Ignatius of Loyola’s conversion process on the professional formation of organizational leaders. Humanistic Management Journal, 8(2), 181-190.
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2023). Shaping theory and practice: The impact of Ignatius of Loyola’s approach to transformation on transformational leadership and online graduate students at a Jesuit university in the United States. Humanistic Management Journal, 8(2), 191-200.
Smith, J., & Tran, D. Q. (2023). Jesuit-informed casuistry and the role of principles for organizational ethics. Philosophy of Management, 22(1), 73-98.
Tran, D. Q. (2022). Sister Rose Ann Fleming: An unlikely point guard and gender-holistic servant-leader. The International Journal of the History of Sport, 39(4), 442-467.
Tran, D. Q., & Spears, L. C. (2020). Servant-leadership and community: Humanistic perspectives from Pope John XXIII and Robert K. Greenleaf. Humanistic Management Journal, 5(1), 117-131.
Tran, D. Q., & Spears, L. C. (2019). The common good and servant-leadership: Rocks upon which good societies, organizations, and leaders are built. The International Journal of Servant-Leadership, 13(1), 69-103.
Tran, D. Q. (2014). Faith and a contemporary context for American Catholic higher education. Communication Research Trends, 33(1), 29-34.
Tran, D. Q. (2011). Beyond the paradoxical shadow of a Doubt: A powerful bond that sustains servant-leaders in their struggle for truth and justice. The International Journal of Servant-Leadership, 7(1), 293-315.
Tran, D. Q. (2010). Toward a servant-led response rooted in forgiveness and restorative justice in the Catholic clergy sexual abuse scandal. The International Journal of Servant-Leadership, 6(1), 179-198.
Book Chapters
Tran, D. Q. (in press). Joy and mercy: The heart of Pope Francis’ rhetoric of reform and restoration. In D. Barbee & B. C. Sleasman (Eds.), Sacred rhetoric: Discourses in identity and meaning (pp. xx-yy). Fairleigh Dickinson University Press.
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2023). Indifference, discernment, and adaptation: An Ignatian approach to leading organizational change in (Jesuit) higher education. In S. K. Dhiman (Ed.), The Routledge companion to leadership and change (pp. 285-295). Routledge.
Tran, D. Q. (2022). “No attack, no chance”: Takuma Sato’s race against the trope of “bad Asian drivers.” In S. Bien-Aime & C. Wang (Eds.), Perceptions of East Asian and Asian North American athletics (pp. 81-104). Palgrave Macmillan.
Carey, M. R., & Tran, D. Q. (2021). Seeking meaning for the contemporary workplace: Insights from the desert fathers and mothers. In S. K. Dhiman (Ed.), The Palgrave handbook of workplace well-being (pp. 319-340). Palgrave Macmillan.
Tran, D. Q. (2021). Attention, reverence, and devotion: An Ignatian method for fostering mindfulness at work. In S. K. Dhiman (Ed.), The Routledge companion to mindfulness at work (pp. 463-478). Routledge.
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2021). Learning and leading together to transform the world: Jesuit higher education and Ignatian leadership at the margins. In D. Singh, R. J. Thompson, and K. A. Curran, (Eds.), Reimagining leadership on the commons: Shifting the paradigm for a more ethical, equitable, and just world (pp. 295-310). Emerald.
Tran, D. Q. (2020). Love and forgiveness: The cornerstones of servant-leadership and social justice. In J. Song, D. Q. Tran, S. R. Ferch, & L. C. Spears (Eds.), Servant-leadership and forgiveness: How leaders help heal the heart of the world (pp. 1-6). SUNY Press.
Tran, D. Q. (2020). Toward a servant-led response rooted in forgiveness and restorative justice in the Catholic clergy abuse scandal and cover-up. In J. Song, D. Q. Tran, S. R. Ferch, & L. C. Spears (Eds.), Servant-leadership and forgiveness: How leaders help heal the heart of the world (pp. 187-210). SUNY Press.
Tran, D. Q., Spears, L. C., & Carey, M. R. (2020). Building relational bridges: The inclusive spirit of servant-leadership. In S. K. Dhiman, & J. Marques (Eds.), New horizons in positive leadership and change: A practical guide for workplace transformation (pp. 127-142). Springer.
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2019). Relational leadership and Laudato Si’: Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home. In S. Steffen, J. Rezmovits, S. Trevenna, & S. Rappaport (Eds.), Evolving leadership for collective wellbeing: Lessons for implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (pp. 161-181). Emerald.
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2018). Cherishing the wisdom of community: A Benedictine model of leadership for turbulent times. In S. K. Dhiman, G. E. Roberts, & J. Crossman (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of workplace spirituality and fulfillment (pp. 883-900). Palgrave Macmillan.
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2018). Toward a discerning mind and heart: An Ignatian approach to workplace spirituality and spiritual leadership. In S. K. Dhiman, G. E. Roberts, & J. Crossman (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of workplace spirituality and fulfillment (pp. 753-772). Palgrave Macmillan.
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2017). Mercy within mercy: The heart of Pope Francis’ inclusive leadership in a broken world. In A. Boitano, H. E. Schockman, & R. Lagomarsino (Eds.), Breaking the zero-sum game: Transforming societies through inclusive leadership (pp. 231-248). Emerald.
Other Publications
Tran, D. Q. (2016, October). [Review of the book Religion in the classroom: Dilemmas for democratic education, by J. H. James, with S. Schweber, R. Kunzman, K. C. Barton, & K. Logan]. Journal of Catholic Education, 20(1), 349-354.
Tran, D. Q. (2015). Pray for one another. The Journal of Asian-American Theological Forum, 1(2), 31-33.
Presentations at Peer-Refereed Conferences
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2023, July 10). Becoming more intentionally present, attentive, and aware: Integrating Ignatian dynamics into an online graduate leadership education course. Paper presentation at the 28th Annual World Forum of the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools at Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Sevilla, Spain.
Radwan, J., Tran, D. Q., Ward, Sr., M., Hartsough, L., & Beaty, B. R. (2022, November 17). Improving PLACEs of work: Religious traditions, organizational spirituality, and workplace wellbeing. Panel presentation at the 108th Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2022, October 7). Discernment of spirits: Integrating Ignatian wisdom into online graduate leadership education. Panel presentation at the 24th Annual Meeting of the International Leadership Association, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. and online.
Tran, D. Q. (Fall 2022). The land of hope and dreams: Bruce Springsteen’s sacred rhetoric and sacramental-prophetic imagination. [Paper presentation]. The Ties That Bind: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The River’ at 40: An International Symposium at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey, U.S.A. (Conference canceled)
Mathew, P., Song, J., & Tran, D. Q. (2021, October 26). Servant-leadership and forgiveness: How leaders help heal the heart of the world. Panel discussion at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the International Leadership Association, Geneva, Switzerland and online.
Thompson, R. J., Baird, C., Curran, K. A., Willis, D. B., Tran, D. Q., & Clary, P. (2021, October 24). Ethical leadership on the commons. Panel discussion at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the International Leadership Association, Geneva, Switzerland and online.
Tran, D. Q. (2021, July 20). Learning to listen, discern, and decide in online organizational leadership education: Insights from Ignatius of Loyola and Robert Greenleaf. Paper presentation at the 26th Annual World Forum of the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools and the 23nd Annual Meeting of Colleagues in Jesuit Business Education (online conference).
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2021, June 23). Strangers and aliens no longer: The experience of monastic hospitality and community in a hybrid graduate leadership education course. Paper presentation at the 17th General Meeting of the International Thomas Merton Society (online conference).
Selak, A., Tran, D. Q., Gaertner, K., Meyer, M., & Sanchez-Cuellar, F. (2021, June 3 - 6). Scholarship, loyalty, and service: Alpha Sigma Nu and the global commitment to justice in Jesuit higher education. Panel discussion accepted for the 20th Anniversary Commitment to Justice in Jesuit Higher Education conference sponsored by The National Steering Committee on Justice in Jesuit Higher Education at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, U.S.A.
Denny, C. D., O’Connell, M. H., Rademacher, N., & Tran, D. Q. (2021, February 10). Teaching outside your specialization in a time of disciplinary retrenchment. Panel discussion for the 2021 Winter Webinar Series of the American Catholic Historical Association, Emmitsburg, Maryland, U.S.A. (Webinar was in lieu of our panel’s acceptance for the 2021 Annual Meeting of the American Catholic Historical Association)
Tran, D. Q. (2020, October 16-17). The land of hope and dreams. Bruce Springsteen’s sacred rhetoric, sacramental imagination, and spiritual leadership [Paper presentation]. Sacred Rhetoric 2020, Findlay, Ohio, U.S.A. (Conference canceled)
Counts, D., Strawser, M. G., Ferguson, D. P., Woolard, C., Tran, D. Q., Pompper, D., Arora, A., & Kovalyova, N. (2019, November 17). Organizational change in higher education: The current and future repercussions of survival-based change. Panel presentation at the 105th Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q. (2019, October 25). Sister Rose Ann Fleming: An unlikely point guard and intentional servant-leader. Paper presented at the 2nd Global Congress on Sport and Christianity, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A.
Dhiman, S., Roberts, G., Crossman, J., Kriger, M., Schockman, H. E., Heath, K., & Tran, D. Q. (2019, August 12). Creating inclusive organizations through wise leadership, servant-leadership, and inclusive leadership. Panel symposium presented at the 79th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2019, July 13). Disruption and dialogue in online organizational leadership education: Insights from Ignatius of Loyola and Paulo Freire. Paper presented at the 3rd Global Jesuit Business Ethics Conference and the 22nd Annual Meeting of Colleagues in Jesuit Business Education at Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2019, June 28). Thomas Merton and the formation of authentic leaders. Paper presented at the 16th General Meeting of the International Thomas Merton Society at Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q. (2019, April 6). Illuminating the processes of love, forgiveness, and servant-leadership: Insights from the imprisonment experiences of Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan. Paper presented at Leadership: Illuminating the Process, the 2nd Annual Pennsylvania Leadership Studies Conference, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q. (2019, April 4). Building peace (leadership) through hope: Insights from the imprisonment writings of Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan. Paper presented at Building Peace through Kindness, Dialogue, and Forgiveness, the 5th International Conference on Hate Studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q. (2018, November 10). Give peace a chance: John Lennon’s peace leadership during the Vietnam Conflict. Paper presented at The Beatles’ The White Album: An International Symposium at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2018, October 26). Francis @ five: An appraisal of servant-leadership characteristics. Paper presented at the 20th Annual Meeting of the International Leadership Association, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.
Carey, M. R., Tran, D. Q., Caputo, J., & Wade, S. (2018, October 25). Exploring Renaissance insights for the 21st century. Roundtable discussion at the 20th Annual Meeting of the International Leadership Association, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q., & Spears, L. C. (2018, June 21). The common good and servant-leadership: Rocks upon which good societies are built. Paper presented at Building Institutions for the Common Good: The Purpose and Practice of Business in an Inclusive Economy, the 10th International Conference on Catholic Social Thought and Business Education & the 6th Colloquium on Christian Humanism in Business and Society at the University of Saint Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Carey, M. R., Heiser, D., & Tran, D. Q. (2018, April 21). Servant-leadership: From theory to practice. Panel discussion at Leadership and Challenging Landscapes, the 6th Annual Student Leadership Symposium at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, U.S.A.
Carey, M. R., & Tran, D. Q. (2018, March 19). To do the right deed for the right reason: Toward a more mindful and self-aware leader. Paper presented at Leadership for the 21st Century, an interdisciplinary conference sponsored by the Philosophy, Religion, and Worldviews Learning Community of the International Leadership Association at California Baptist University, Riverside, California, U.S.A.
Houglum, D., Tran, D. Q., Armstrong, J., & Gambrell, K. (2017, October 14). Educating the whole person during turbulent times through the integration of faith and leadership. Panel discussion at the 19th Annual Meeting of the International Leadership Association, Brussels, Belgium.
Carey, M. R., Tran, D. Q., Horsman, J. H., & Han, B. (2017, October 13). A monastic model of leadership for turbulent times. Roundtable discussion at the 19th Annual Meeting of the International Leadership Association, Brussels, Belgium.
Tran, D. Q. (2017, September 22). Listening with one’s heart: Towards a Benedictine understanding of leadership in turbulent times. Paper presented at A Distinctive Vision?: Catholic Higher Education 50 years after Land O’Lakes, a symposium sponsored by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities at Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. R. (2017, August 11). Digital concepts via direct contact: Integrating Ignatian ideals in hybrid and online study abroad course design for adult students. Paper presented at Through the Eye of the Needle: Commitment to Justice in Jesuit Higher Education, a conference sponsored by The National Steering Committee on Justice in Jesuit Higher Education at Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
Smith, J., & Tran, D. Q. (2017, July 17). Jesuit-informed casuistry and its significance for business ethics. Paper presented at the 23rd Annual World Forum of the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools at the University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.
Tran, D. Q. (2017, July 8). Indifference, discernment, and adaptation: The transformative dynamics of Ignatian pedagogy in online course design. Paper presented at the 20th Annual Meeting of Colleagues in Jesuit Business Education at Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q. (2017, May 31). Joy and mercy: The heart of Pope Francis’ rhetoric of restoration and reform. Paper presented at the Sacred Rhetoric Conference, sponsored by Winebrenner Theological Seminary, Findlay, Ohio, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q., & King, T. L. (2016, November 3). With and for others: The impact of servant-leadership and the social change model on a residential community. Paper presented at the 18th Annual Meeting of the International Leadership Association, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.
Boitano, A., Lagomarsino, R., Schockman, H. E., Agger-Gupta, N., Harris, B., Stefani, L., Tran, D. Q., & Carey, M. (2016, November 3). Breaking the zero-sum game: Transforming societies through inclusive leadership. Panel discussion at the 18th Annual Meeting of the International Leadership Association, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.
Caputo, J. S., Osborne, T., Crandall, H. M., & Tran, D. Q. (2016, February 26). Ethical and collective memory: Repeating cultural stories with our students. Panel discussion at the 87th Annual Meeting of the Western States Communication Association, San Diego, California, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q., Carey, M. L., Hoover, K. F., Leger, S.J., A. F. (2015, October 14). Beyond Barcelona: A pilgrimage to the mountaintop monastery of Montserrat. Workshop presented at the 17th Annual Meeting of the International Leadership Association, Barcelona, Spain.
Tran, D. Q. (2014, April 18). When necessary, use words: Pope Francis’ approach to image restoration. Paper presented at Mediating Religion: Modes of Communication in Religious Contexts, an interdisciplinary graduate student conference hosted by the Department of Religious Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q. (2014, February 16). Virgencita Linda: Celestial mother and mural of hope. Paper presented at the 85th Annual Meeting of the Western States Communication Association, Anaheim, California, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q. (2014, February 8). Faith and contemporary contexts for American Catholic Higher Education. Paper presented at Technology, Rhetoric, and Cultural Change: Walter J. Ong, S.J. in the Age of Google, Facebook, and Twitter, an interdisciplinary conference on the thought of Walter J. Ong, S.J. at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, U.S.A.
Invited Presentations
Tran, D. Q. (2023, August 15). “A long, loving look” at Renaissance art: Humanistic implications for contemporary leaders and managers. Invited guest lecturer for a Master of Business Administration course titled, Management and the Renaissance, Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
Thompson, R. J., Allen, K. E., Baird, C., Sayer, N., Napier, G. S., Willis, D. B., Hleb, K., Tran, D. Q., Carey, M. R., Clary, P. A., & Curran, K. A. (2021, December 6). Reimagining leadership on the commons. Webinar for the International Leadership Association, Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A.
del Rio, E., IIo, S. C., & Tran, D. Q. (2021b, June 24). Educating in and for a Church that is global and ethnically diverse [West Coast session]. Roundtable discussion for Collegium’s Annual Summer Colloquy on Faith and the Intellectual Life, sponsored by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Washington, DC, U.S.A.
del Rio, E., IIo, S. C., & Tran, D. Q. (2021a, June 24). Educating in and for a Church that is global and ethnically diverse [East Coast session]. Roundtable discussion for Collegium’s Annual Summer Colloquy on Faith and the Intellectual Life, sponsored by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Washington, DC, U.S.A.
Dhiman, S., Marques, J., Schockman, E., Olson, B., Cissna, K., Roberts, G., Carey, M. R., Tran, D. Q., Alexander Becker, P., Alagaraja, M., Maheshwari, A. K., Bhojani, Z., & Mayer, C. H. (2021, March 3). The Palgrave handbook of workplace well-being. Panel discussion hosted by Woodbury University’s School of Business, Burbank, California, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q. (2019, February 15). Growing the value and leadership of honor societies through storytelling and design. Presentation at the 2019 Annual Council Meeting of the Association of College Honor Societies, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q. (2018, February 15). Cherishing the wisdom of community: A Benedictine contribution to (graduate) leadership education. 2017-2018 Faculty Fellows Presentation for the Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture at Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
Tran, D. Q. (2017, May 11). Keynote Speaker, Graduation Dinner, Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, U.S.A.
