TISA Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the governing board for Triad International Studies Academy and will govern in accordance with the Charter School Act of 1996 and specified bylaws. The board’s focus is supporting high student achievement and ensuring sound fiscal management. The Board will have ultimate authority for the following activities:
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Approve the annual budget
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Set policy for employment of teaching and non-teaching employees
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Contract for other necessary services
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Develop employee pay scales, performance criteria, and discharge policies
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Employ and supervise a school leader
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Assess the effectiveness of the Corporation in manifesting its mission
Board Meetings
Board meetings are held once a month, typically on the third Wednesday of each month.
Meetings are held virtually beginning at 5:30 pm. You can view the board meeting schedule here.
Board Meeting Agenda Board Meeting Minutes
2024-2025 School Year
Board Meeting Agenda Board Meeting Minutes
"Education is the key to transforming the world into a better place where everyone can live with dignity and prosperity."
---Dr. Chaowei Zhu, Founding Chair, TISA Board of Trustees
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Dr. Chaowei Zhu
Board Chair
Mrs. Lisa Cole
Vice Chair
Dr. Wenzhong Yang
Secretary
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Ms. Alena Qin
Treasurer
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Ms. Itzel Sanchez
Trustee
Mr. Chris Yang
Trustee
Dr. Chaowei Zhu
Chair
Dr. Chaowei Zhu brings extensive expertise in education, organizational leadership, and global initiatives to his role as Board Chair for TISA. He holds an MBA and a Ph.D. in Business Administration, specializing in organizational behavior and leadership, from Renmin University of China, as well as a Master’s degree in Intercultural Services in Healthcare from Wake Forest University.
In addition to his teaching roles, Dr. Zhu has held numerous leadership positions, ranging from Department Chair at Yichun University to Assistant Dean for Global Initiatives at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Wake Forest University.
Dr. Zhu was a founding board member of East Voyager Academy, North Carolina’s first Chinese immersion charter school. He has also established multiple nonprofit organizations, including APAPA Carolinas and Asian American Advancing Leadership, showcasing his commitment to empowering underserved communities through education and leadership development.
Dr. Zhu’s dedication to fostering global citizenship and academic excellence positions him as a vital leader for TISA as it prepares to deliver innovative, multilingual education to the High Point community.
Ms. Lisa Cole
Vice Chair
Ms. Lisa Cole, CEO of Literacy SC, brings MBA-level strategic vision and two decades of nonprofit expertise. Under her direction, central South Carolina's oldest adult literacy agency has significantly transformed its programs, expanding access through partnership with 24 public libraries across three counties. A published author herself, her deep investment in linguistics and literacy shapes both her creative work and leadership philosophy.
Ms. Cole currently serves on the advisory board of Internet, a global workforce development company, building on her legacy of impact through four nonprofit boards and dozens of diverse educational committees. Her comprehensive board experience also includes five years on an award-winning immersion charter school board, where she helped steward multi-million dollar budgets, facilities expansion, and two administration transitions while maintaining academic excellence.
Her results-driven and heart-centered leadership style has earned recognition through the 2024 SC Women of Influence and 2023 Katherine Heath Manning Perry Leadership awards. As a mother of four children who grew up in charter and public schools, she brings both professional wisdom and personal experience to the governance landscape.
Dr. Wenzhong Yang
Secretary
Dr. Wenzhong Yang holds a Bachelor’s in Pediatrics, a Master’s in Pharmacology, and a PhD in Biophysics. He has extensive expertise across biomedical fields, including cardiovascular pharmacology, immunology, biophotonics, electrophysiology, and regenerative medicine. As a startup scientist, his recommendations boosted efficacy by 33%, and his surgical skills advanced the development of a large-animal disease model.
An accomplished photographer, Dr. Yang has earned multiple local, state, and national awards. He also led a prize-winning documentary on the first Chinese graduate of Wake Forest University, recognized by the Chinese School Association in the United States in 2024. Dr. Yang has served as a long-time board member of NC Wenhua Chinese School.
Ms. Alena Qin
Treasurer
As a Certified Public Accountant who has served as Senior Audit Manager at various institutes such as First Citizens Bank, Truist Financial Corporation and Grant Thornton LLP, Ms. Qin leads a team in delivering risk-based internal audit services. Her role involved SEC filings, IPO assistance, and internal control recommendations. In these roles, Ms. Qin excels in managing complex audits, training junior staff, and providing valuable advisory services. With the strong background in finance and audit, Ms. Qin brings analytical skills and strategic thinking to the school board, ensuring sound financial stewardship and accountability.
Ms. Itzel Sanchez
Trustee
Ms. Itzel Sanchez, with a Master's degree in Intercultural Services in Healthcare from Wake Forest University, brings valuable Spanish expertise and cultural understanding to the school board. As a Spanish-English interpreter at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital and Shenandoah Oral and Facial Surgery, she fosters communication between diverse communities. Dedicated to promoting language acquisition and cultural appreciation, Ms. Sanchez serves as a board member for TISA as a language immersion school, ensuring all students have access to high-quality education in a supportive environment.
Mr. Yang Yang
Trustee
Chris is a seasoned engineering manager with expertise in the semiconductor industry. Holding a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from California State University, he has led challenging projects from design to completion. Currently serving as Senior Reliability Manager at Qorvo in Greensboro, NC, he manages a team of engineers and technicians, driving improvements in Quality Assurance operations using six sigma and lean principles. With a background in test engineering and a proven track record of leadership, Chris is known for his attention to detail and ability to drive results. Outside of work, he actively supports the local community, serving as Chairman of the Greensboro Chinese Association and volunteering with organizations like Greensboro Urban Ministry and the Greensboro Chinese School.