Staff

My pronouns: she, her, hers

Undergraduate alma mater: Drury University

Graduate alma mater: Webster University

Favorite place in the city: Is there sunshine? ✔ And does it have a beach or view of a large body of water? ✔

Hobbies and interests: Travel, reading, event curation, and volunteering

First internship or job: Food Service: cafeteria/catering/banquet attendant

Best piece of career advice I received: I’ve two that ring true to me - As you navigate through the rest of your life, surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Spend a lot of time with them and it will change your life. And the other is that there will be failures, roadblocks, and detours in our careers, but do not be discouraged. Instead, be persistent and resilient.

How I lead a life of purpose and impact: I try to live by this quote – “For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. - Nelson Mandela

My social justice area of focus: Human Rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion – particularly when it concerns immigrants, refugees, asylees and international persons. These communities are extremely vulnerable and frequently marginalized and excluded from realizing their full value.

My pronouns: she, her

Undergraduate alma mater: University of Hawaii at Manoa

Graduate School: Seattle University, In progress MAED School Counseling ‘23

Favorite place in the city: The Neighbor Lady...and Trader Joe’s.  I’ve lived my entire life thus far without access to Trader Joe’s, needless to say I’m stoked to be a bus ride away.   

Hobbies and interests: Food, being in the ocean, jumping around at live shows, food, traveling, salsa/bachata dancing, dinner parties with friends, karaoke, oh, and food.   

First internship or job:  A+ Leader at my old elementary school  

Best piece of career advice I received: When you’re interviewing, be as authentic as you can be.  Whatever version of you the company meets and hires is who they are expecting.  You want the company to see and appreciate your true potential and impact that you can bring to the table.   

How I lead a life of purpose and impact: Taking the time to listen to the stories of people and try to always put myself in their shoes to better understand where they are coming from, what their barriers may be, what I can learn, and how I can help.      

My social justice area of focus: Community building and creating equal opportunity and access to education for all people.   

My pronouns: he, him, his

Undergraduate alma mater: Guilford College

Favorite place in the city:  Madison Park Beach; swimming with endless views of Rainier and the Cascades

Hobbies and interests: Hiking, National Parks, exploring around the city, and everything Georgia. Usually found eating and drinking coffee.

First internship or job: Legislative Aide, Georgia House of Representatives

Best piece of career advice I received: Networking, networking, networking! I met my first boss by walking into their office and asked for an informational coffee meeting. I was hired two days later. 

How I lead a life of purpose and impact: Reminding myself of what kind of citizen I want to be. My favorite book, Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in Challenging Times, reminds me my efforts can do more for others and ourselves-than we may ever imagine, we don’t have to wait for the perfect situation to take action, change happens little by little - step by step, we should savor the journey of engagement-even if our ultimate goal is unknown, and the impact of our individual and collective effectiveness will often ripple outward in ways we can’t predict.

My social justice area of focus: Equitable access to resilient and sustainable communities, civic engagement, and social enterprise.

My pronouns: he, him, his 

Undergraduate alma mater: Seattle University

Favorite place in the city: Lam’s Seafood Market in Little Saigon, it reminds me of home 

Hobbies and interests: K-Pop, I have been listening to K-Pop since 2010 (At the moment, my favorite groups are: TWICE, ITZY, aespa, Seventeen, NCT, Everglow, LOONA, Sam Kim), coffee, journaling (pens, planners, stickers!), Youtubers, Tiktok, and outfits 

First internship or job: Desk Assistant in Bellarmine Hall 

Best piece of career advice I received: Job interviews go both ways: They interview you, but you also interview them. Think: Are they a good team you would feel supported in? Do they practice a healthy work culture that will suit me? Do they have similar values with you? This advice gave me permission to acknowledge myself and the work that I have done.  

How I lead a life of purpose and impact: I ground myself in my ancestors and those that will come after me. When I think of purpose, I think of the phrase, “You are your ancestors' wildest dreams”. As a first-generation student in the United States, I think of my family’s difficult decision to leave the Philippines. I envision the process, the hardships, and the joys that came from, and continue to come from, living in the United States. I imagine how my life intersects with social justice, history, and movements before me, with me, and after me. Essentially, my life is purposeful because it is that of my own. 

My social justice area of focus: Asian and Asian-American social justice movements, particularly the liberation of the Philippines 

My pronouns: he, him

Undergraduate alma mater: La Sierra University

Graduate School: Seattle Pacific University, in progress Ph.D. Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Favorite place in the city: Any forestry-filled park with a city and/or water view

Hobbies and interests: Playing musical instruments, long walks, exploring the PNW, informal research, fantasy and sci-fi media, anime 

First internship or job:  High school English and social studies TA

Best piece of career advice I received: The best piece of career advice I've received is to always advocate for yourself, whether that be negotiating your compensation, asking for accommodations, or demanding a just and equitable workplace.

How I lead a life of purpose and impact: I take a critical perspective on any and all subjects, asking myself why things are as they are, should we change them, and how can we change them.

My social justice area of focus: Well-being of marginalized workers, anti-capitalism, and creating equitable work systems for social and economic liberation.

My pronouns:  they, them

Undergraduate alma mater:  Seattle University

Favorite place in the city:  I love spaces that have their own unique personality; Chinatown-International District, Fremont, Hillman City...anywhere there is good food and vibrant life is a place I love to be!

Hobbies and interests:  History, fashion, making art, cooking, baking, buying books, exploring cities, and playing tabletop games (board and RPGs!)

First internship or job:  Stitcher/costumer for a theater company  

Best piece of career advice I received:  A work-life balance is essential! A favorite saying I like to keep in mind is "don't be so focused on making a living that you forget to make a life."

How I lead a life of purpose and impact:  I bring intentionality into each of my interpersonal connections and allow them to be unique bonds that are shaped by our experiences, whether shared or different. Every person has lead a life with its own challenges and complexities, and I see connections with others as ways to validate those lived experiences and help each other grow in ways that the other never knew might be possible.      

My social justice area of focus:  Bringing resources to systemically underserved student populations, socioeconomic equity, racial justice, healthcare access (including mental health care), and modern abolition.

My pronouns: she, her

Undergraduate alma mater: University of Minnesota

Graduate alma mater: Northeastern University

Favorite Place(s) in the city/where you live: On the ferry in the middle of the sound looking at the city skyline, mountains, and green, green trees.        

Hobbies & interests: Foodie adventures, cooking, travel, running/lifting/spinning, podcasts                 

First job or internship: Lifeguard

Best piece of career advice you've received: Your mentor does not have to be your direct supervisor. Seek out and build relationships with folks in the organization whose approaches to leadership and work you admire.

How I lead a life of purpose and impact: By being a steadfast advocate for students. And in my personal life, by spending my time doing the things that fill my cup and challenging myself in areas where I identify room for growth.

My social justice area of focus: Gender equity and equitable access to education. I strive to be an ally to traditionally marginalized populations.