The AACC Center Staff is comprised of several teams focusing on different areas and work collaboratively with one another, our AACC Peer Liaisons, Yale staff and faculty, the greater New Haven community, and alumni.
Co-Head Coordinators
Emily Cheung (Trumbull ‘26)
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Why AACC? The AACC has been a place of comfort and familiarity for me. I see it as an environment to decompress within the chaos of the outside campus. I am looking forward to provide additional supports to incoming and current students, so more people can take advantage of this space.
Who is your favorite food? Bún bò Huế
What is your favorite New Haven restaurant? Zul Cafe and Grill
Kenny Li (Pauli Murray ‘25)
Pronouns: he/him/his
Major: Computer Science & Economics and Math
Why AACC? The AACC has always been an incredibly warm and tender home away from home ever since I’ve been at Yale. I’ve met some of my closest friends here, and I love to be able to meet new people and continue to help build community and family here at Yale :)
What is your favorite book? Dear Friend, from My Life I Write to You in Your Life by Yiyun Li
What are your favorite artists/bands? Niki, Beabadoobee, Malcom Todd, Summer Walker
Alumni Engagement
Mark Chung (Trumbull ‘25)
Pronouns: he/him
Major: History (Asia and the Pacific Track)
Why AACC? To find a home away from home!
What is your favorite food? Galbi (Korean Short-Ribs) + Naengmyeon (Korean Cold Noodles)
Who is your favorite campus study spot? AACC Library
Victory Lee (Ezra Stiles ‘25)
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Economics
Why AACC? AACC does not stop at providing comfort in the shared Asian culture but offers me a space to learn about the unique elements of each Asian heritage. After learning Chinese and living in China for a semester, I am more eager to learn about the differences between and peculiarities within our cultures that meld into the common Asian identity.
What is your favorite movie/TV show? Okja (directed by Bong Joon Ho)
Communications & Design
Arden Yum (Benjamin Franklin ‘25)
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Cognitive Science
Why AACC? The wonderful and caring community!
What are your favorite Yale class? Game Theory
What are your hobbies? Cooking, photography, running, writing
Arden Yum is a senior in Benjamin Franklin majoring in Cognitive Science. Outside of the AACC, she runs a micro-bakery called PLAY with her friend Phaedra, writes a weekly newsletter called Ad Hoc, and takes photos.r.
Nghi Nguyen (Jonathan Edwards ‘27)
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Ethics, Politics, and Economics
Why AACC? College can be isolating at times, but the AACC lessens this feeling. As I grind out practice problems in the Gary Okihiro library or revise my papers in the Game Room, I know that I can always head downstairs to join one of the many club events or grab a snack for fuel!
What is your favorite book? Thea Stilton and the Mystery In Paris (The Tale of Despereaux is a close second)
Sam Fajardo (Benjamin Franklin ‘27)
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Cognitive Science
Why AACC? Growing up in Manila’s more culturally homogenous environment, I had a specific idea of what being Asian meant. At the AACC, I’m able to encounter its diverse expressions in the US and deepen my understanding of both myself and others.
What is your favorite movie/TV show? Parasite
Historical, Artistic, and Cultural Resources
Gina Jung (Benjamin Franklin ‘27)
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Psychology
Why AACC? I love how the AACC is a place of unconditional belonging and acceptance when it comes to cultural-identity formation!
What is your favorite book? Milk and honey by Rupi Kaur
What are your favorite artists/bands? Wave to Earth, george, Crush, JANNABI
Miya Zhao (Branford ‘27)
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Statistics and Data Science
Why AACC? The AACC has always been a safe space to learn, grow, and have fun from the Multicultural Open House to hosting my first event as an FL for CASA. It’s the first place I felt like I belonged at Yale and hope to establish it for others as a comfortable home to celebrate together!
What are your hobbies? Anything artsy (Embroidery, Drawing, Painting), volleyball, and exploring the outdoors
What if your favorite campus study sport? The Goodlife Center, HQ, and Sterling
Hiya! I’m Miya and I’m a sophomore in Branford from South Carolina (I’ve also lived in New York, China, and Missouri :D). I’m not sure where I’m going yet but I enjoy learning about Statistics & Data Science, Biology, and Global Health! Outside of class, I’m involved with the Chinese American Students Association, the iGEM research competition team, and the YHHAP FAST team! Otherwise, you can find me crafting in a studio, taking long walks around New Haven, or cooking at the AACC <3
Political Action & Education
Andrew Lee (Benjamin Franklin ‘27)
Pronouns: he/him
Major: Political Science and Ethnicity, Race & Migration
Why AACC? The AACC provides refuge, a site of action and contestation for the pursuit of equity, a home for Asian Americans who seek kinship and entanglement, an ongoing opportunity for voices and distinct livelihoods to coalesce. I am beyond excited to contribute to the AACC’s mission. Here’s to making valuable connections and finding unconditional acceptance <3
What is your favorite Yale Class? Religion, Politics, and Identity in Asia
What is your favorite movie/TV show? Everything Everywhere All at Once
Marissa Halagao (Branford ‘27)
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Ethnicity, Race & Migration
Why AACC? I joined the AACC as a first year coordinator and it quickly became my favorite place: a space of learning, cross cultural solidarity, identity development, refuge and growth. I want to continue to make the AACC feel like a home!
What is your favorite food? Mango Sago (home/AACC-made)
What are your favorite campus study spot? AACC (When I’m not being social and forget about my assignments!)
Wellness & Mental Health
Ashyah Galbokke Hewage (Timothy Dwight ‘27)
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Neuroscience
Why AACC? The invitational nature and magnetism that the AACC cultivates to build a family at Yale is so beautiful and has provided me with such a vast community of individuals to immediately be surrounded by as I stepped foot onto campus. The meaningful collaborations and connections we make with other cultural centers on campus and being able to learn more about ways I can embrace and uplift my Sri Lankan heritage excites me.
What is your favorite movie/TV show? The Truman Show
What are your favorite artists/bands? Belle and Sebastian, SZA, John Mayer, FINNEAS, Adele
Hubert Tran (Morse ‘27)
Pronouns: he/him
Major: Neuroscience
Why AACC? The AACC has become my second home where I have been able to fully embrace my Vietnamese identity unlike ever before. I hope to continue this tradition of inclusivity and accessibility for the Asian community here at Yale!
What is your favorite food? Phở ấp chảo (fried rice noodles w/ stir-fried vegetables and meat),
What are your hobbies? Reading, music performance, cooking, photography, and, most importantly, going to Costco!
First-Year Coordinators
Muhammad Nuliadi (Grace Hopper ‘28)
Pronouns: he/him
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Why AACC? The AACC appealed to me because it seemed like such a welcoming community that I never had in middle school and high school. I wanted to be involved going into Yale and the AACC seemed like the perfect place for that.
What is your favorite food? Martabak Telur
Nicole Nguyen (Davenport ‘28)
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Why AACC? Moving far away from home for college, I hope to find a supportive community at the AACC that I can call my second family! I’m excited to contribute to events that celebrate and explore the rich diversity of Asian cultures at Yale, which make this campus special.
What is your favorite food? Canh Chua Cá (Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Fish Soup)
What are your favorite artists/bands? Laufey, wave to earth, Bruno Mars, Brent Faiyaz
Sabrina Zheng (Pierson ‘28)
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Computer Science, Sociology
Why AACC? I wanted to continue my Asian advocacy work at Yale, and believed the AACC would be a great opportunity to get more involved!
What is your favorite book? Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
What are your hobbies? Reading, exercising, watching Netflix
Hi! My name is Sabrina Zheng, and I’m a freshman in Pierson College from Delaware. I intend to study computer science and sociology. I also have a passion for social justice, specifically related to Asian advocacy that I hope to get further involved in at Yale and the AACC!
Arts Liaison
Thomas Kannam (Grace Hopper ‘26)
Pronouns: they/them
Major: Theater, Dance, & Performance Studies (TDAPS) and Ethnicity, Race, & Migration (ER&M)
Why AACC? The AACC is a hub that symbolizes, and celebrates, the wide breadth of Asian experiences present on campus. Coincidentally.. it is also full of the most talented and interesting people on campus. I am so honored to work in such a comforting environment, and excited to expand its artistic outreach.
What are your hobbies? Trying (disastrously) to use a sewing machine
What is your favorite New Haven restaurant? Mamoun’s