AARCC Staff

 

Karen Su, Director
Phone: 312-413-7696     Email: karensu@uic.edu

In addition to providing leadership for AARCC’s overall activities on campus to ensure support for Asian American students' needs, Karen works on educational programs to raise awareness of Asian American issues and coordinates co-curricular initiatives that promote knowledge of Asian American studies. She has been teaching the Introduction to Asian American Studies course (ASAM/ENGL/SOC 125) since spring of 2006. Before joining UIC, Karen was the founding director of the University of Pennsylvania’s student center, the Pan-Asian American Community House (PAACH) and she served as Assistant Director of the Asian American Studies Program there. She has taught and helped to develop Asian American studies at campuses on both coasts and here at UIC. A second-generation Chinese American, Karen grew up in Massachusetts.

 

Corinne Maekawa Kodama, Associate Director
Phone: 312-413-9653     Email: ckodama@uic.edu

Corinne is primarily responsible for student services and programming, including the Peer Mentor Program, Summer Leadership Retreat, Asian American Awareness Month, and AARCConnections newsletter.  She also works with Asian American student organizations and consults with other UIC student services offices on Asian American student issues.  In addition to coordinating events, Corinne has a background in counseling and her door is always open to hear student concerns.  Corinne has been at UIC for 6 years, having previously worked in the Office of Career Services. A fourth-generation Japanese American born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Corinne has also worked with Asian American students in Washington, California, and Maryland.

Elvin Chan, Assistant to the Director
Phone: 312-413-9569     Email: eychan@uic.edu

Elvin manages the administrative side of AARCC which includes finances, technology, and upkeep of our space and resources. He also develops ways to connect UIC students, staff, and faculty with Chicago's Asian communities such as volunteer and educational programs. He brings his experience from Northwestern University's Undergraduate Leadership Program to AARCC's Student Organization Leadership Retreat and advising the Student Organization Council. Elvin is a second-generation Chinese American and grew up in a suburb of Buffalo, New York. 

AARCC Student Staff