Center Staff

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)

Emily Cheung

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

My name is Emily Cheung. I am a rising second-year student in Trumbull College from Portland, Maine. My parents are both Chinese but born and raised in Vietnam. The Asian population in my town is relatively small, so I came to the AACC to feel more connected to an integrated community on campus! 
 

Kenny Li (Pauli Murray ‘25)

Kenny Li

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

Hi! I’m a senior in Pauli Murray studying Computer Science + Economics, and Math! At Yale, I’ve been involved in the Chinese American Student Association, and this will be my third year working at the AACC. You can also find me as a ULA for the CS department <3. In my free time, I enjoy writing poetry, mixing music (mashups + DJing), and playing tennis!

Alumni Engagement

Mark Chung (Trumbull ‘25)

Mark Chung

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

Mark (he/him) is a senior in Trumbull majoring in History with a focus on Asia and the Pacific. Raised in the confluence of Korean and American cultures, Mark grew up with a passion for tracing his family roots and heritage. Mark’s academic interests include the formation of postcolonial national identities (ask him about the history of SPAM!) and contemporary reindigenization movements across Asia and the Pacific. His work is centered around unpacking the lasting impacts of imperialism and settler colonialism and seeking ways to heal communities through resistance and acts of joy. At the AACC, he has previously served as a Co-Head and Peer Liaison. In any given moment you can find him going on solo hiking trips, making industrial batches of kimchi for his friends, or strumming to 80’s Korean music on his guitar. 
 

Victory Lee (Ezra Stiles ‘25)

Victory Lee

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)

What are your hobbies? picnic and reading outside, trying new recipes, people watching, making coffee and visiting new coffee shops
 
Hi! My name is Victory. I’m a senior in Ezra Stiles studying Economics and want to pursue public interest law. I was born and raised in South Korea until I moved to America in seventh grade. I moved almost every year of my life within Korea and abroad, including the Philippines and China. I love studying languages and reading in them. I also love making coffee, cooking brunch, and planning the next twenty restaurants that I will never get to try. This year, I’m excited to spend more time with the AACC community and cook many comforting meals together.

Communications & Design

Arden Yum (Benjamin Franklin ‘25)

Arden Yum

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. 

 

Arrow Zhang (Benjamin Franklin ‘26)

Arrow Zhang

Pronouns: she/her

Major: Comparative Literature, Economics

Why AACC? All the game nights, retreats, cultural events, and conversations at the AACC have allowed me to truly realize what it means and feels like to belong in a community. I’m excited to contribute to the AACC’s efforts and welcome more people to our home!

What is your favorite Yale class? Field Methods in Cultural Anthropology

What are your favorite artists/bands? Enhypen, Ren Ran, Lauv

Hi! I’m Arrow, a junior from Alaska studying Comparative Literature and Economics. I’m an editor at Yale’s Accent Multilingual Magazine and a house manager for Yale Undergraduate Production, with interests in multicultural and multilingual storytelling. When I’m not in classes or clubs, you can find me sneakily playing piano, taking silly photos, and planning for the next meteor shower. 

 

Nghi Nguyen (Jonathan Edwards ‘27)

Nghi Nguyen

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)

What is your favorite campus study spot? The benches in Poorvu. I feel extremely perceived there, so when I REALLY need to lock in on my computer, I work there. Tied for first place is the table in the corner of the AACC. 

Hi! I’m a sophomore in JE studying EP&E (superrrr niche and underground major). I was born in Saigon, VN, but I now live in Portland, OR where I spend most of my days biking, basking in the sun as I scroll on Pinterest or Substack, or hopefully learning how to swim (I’ll do this next summer. Maybe).

Historical, Artistic, and Cultural Resources

Gina Jung (Benjamin Franklin ‘27)

Gina Jung

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

My name is Gina Jung, and I am a rising sophomore studying psychology! I’ve moved around the U.S. a lot, but currently my hometown is in Southern California (Orange County area). On campus, I’m currently involved in ministry group UCW and KASY (Korean American Students at Yale). Outside of school, I love to cook Korean food, play the guitar, watch K-dramas, and take photos! 
 

Miya Zhao (Branford ‘27)

Miya Zhao

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

Emily Khym (Benjamin Franklin ‘27)

Emily Khym

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Major: Political Science, History

Why AACC? The AACC is my home and safe space to find joy in shared stories and uplift voices. I am very excited and grateful to have the opportunity to join the AACC staff and help build a space for affinity, advocacy, and radical love :)

What is your favorite book? Salt to the Sea, Ruta Sepetys

What is your favorite New Haven restaurant? Mecha

Emily Khym (she/her) is a sophomore in Benjamin Franklin College. She lives in Honolulu, Hawai’i and Seoul, South Korea, though she mostly spends time in the Elm cafe. Emily is planning on majoring in Political Science and History. In her free time, you can find her searching for her next historical fiction novel to read, convincing her friends to go to Mecha (again), and laughing over a hot chai latte. 
 

Marissa Halagao (Branford ‘27)

Marissa Halagao

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!)

Marissa Halagao is a rising sophomore studying Ethnicity Race & Migration and Education Studies. Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, she’s passionate about uplifting and building bridges in the Asian and Pasifika communities, and interested in educational revitalization to ignite awareness about colonialism and historical impacts. She’s the founder of the Filipino Curriculum Project which introduced Filipino history and culture curriculum to Hawaiʻi’s schools. At Yale, she’s an active member in Kasama, and led an effort to introduce Tagalog language courses (coming soon!). She loves writing and dancing tinikling.

Wellness & Mental Health

Ashyah Galbokke Hewage (Timothy Dwight ‘27)

Ashyah Galbokke Hewage

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

My name is Ashyah and I’m a sophomore in Timothy Dwight College from Santa Monica, CA. On campus, I am involved with the Davenport Pops Orchestra (affectionately known as DPops), South Asian Society, and the Public Health Coalition. In my free time, I love drinking nutella lattes from Koffee, visiting national parks with my family, watching cheesy rom-coms with friends, and speed walking all throughout campus. I was so fortunate to be a part of the AACC family since my first year here, and cannot wait to meet and welcome so many new people into our space this next year. <3 
 

Hubert Tran (Morse ‘27)

Hubert Tran

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!

Hubert is a second-year undergraduate student from Los Angeles, planning on majoring in neuroscience. He is a passionate advocate and researcher for mental health currently serving also as co-president of the Yale Student Mental Health Association and as a student researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health. This year, he hopes to use his position on the Wellness and Mental Health Committee to improve discussions and support systems at the nexus of Asian identities with other racial-ethnic and social identities, especially LGBTQIA+ identities. all, so I came to the AACC to feel more connected to an integrated community on campus!

First-Year Coordinators

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Arts Liaison

Thomas Kannam (Grace Hopper ‘26) 

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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

Thomas (they/them) is a sophomore in Hopper double majoring in  Theater, Dance, & Performance Studies and Ethnicity, Race, & Migration. While being deeply involved in theatrical spaces on campus, as a Connecticut native they are also very thankful for the Greater New Haven arts scene which raised them. Outside of academic and creative endeavors they love to spend their time watching 2000s romcoms, working as a Hopper College Aide, and drinking oat milk!