Globally Speaking CBA Associate Professor Lin Ong Earns Fulbright Scholar Award

The College of Business Administration (CBA) at Cal Poly Pomona is proud to announce that Lin Ong, associate professor of International Business and Marketing (IBM), has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar for the 2024-2025 academic year. This prestigious award will take Ong to the Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she will serve as a Visiting Scholar. Travel for research and study has long been a core part of Ong’s journey as an educator — she has lived, studied, worked and traveled on every continent except for Antarctica.

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is known for its highly competitive selection process, with only about 20% of applicants receiving an award each year. The program is designed to promote international academic exchange and mutual understanding between the United States and other countries. Ong’s achievement not only underscores her expertise but also highlights The CBA’s commitment to global engagement and excellence in research.

With over two decades of experience analyzing global markets and advising on growth strategies for private, social, and academic sectors, her research has consistently focused on improving the well-being of vulnerable consumers. Ong’s areas of interest span across issues related to scarcity, digital disruption, and policy-driven changes. “My goal is to enhance consumer well-being by identifying strategies that address the unique challenges faced by those impacted by vulnerability, whether due to financial limitations, developmental stages, or large-scale disruptions like climate change,” she explains.

Her extensive research portfolio includes numerous publications in high-impact journals such as the Journal of Business Research and the Journal of Consumer Affairs. In addition to her academic contributions, Ong is actively involved with the Center for Customer Insights and Digital Marketing at Cal Poly Pomona, where she mentors students and collaborates on impactful projects.

Ong joined Cal Poly Pomona in 2016 after earning her doctorate in Business Administration (Marketing) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since then, she has distinguished herself as a leader in both the academic and professional communities. She has held various advisory roles, including serving as the Director of New Professionals for the Insights Association, West Chapter, and as a Research Scholar in Data Innovation for FP CAPE, a global health initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

During her time in Malaysia, Ong will engage in research and collaborations aimed at understanding the evolving consumer landscape in Southeast Asia, particularly in relation to digital and financial decision-making. Her work promises to contribute valuable insights to both the academic and business communities, ultimately driving strategies that empower vulnerable consumers worldwide.

Ong’s appointment as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar is a testament to her dedication, expertise, and passion for transformative research. The entire College of Business Administration at Cal Poly Pomona extends its heartfelt congratulations to Lin Ong for this well-deserved honor and looks forward to the significant contributions she will make on the global stage.Top of Form