AARCC Staff

 

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

Karen provides the main administrative leadership for AARCC and develops collaborations with our peer Centers for Diversity to advance diversity-related education and advocacy on campus. She is one of the co-principal investigators on the AANAPISI grant management team and oversees programs linking AARCC and the Asian American Studies Program. This year, she is coordinating a new format for AARCConnections, the AARCC Essay Contest, and College Day initiatives. 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.

Jeffrey Alton, Visiting Associate Director
Phone: 312-413-9653      Email: jalton@uic.edu

Jeffrey oversees the Asian American Mentor Program (AAMP), creates, implements, and assesses programming and workshops that focus on the Asian American experience, and advises student organizations. He comes to UIC from his alma mater, the University of Connecticut, where he worked at the Asian American Cultural Center focusing on alumni development and grantwriting. Prior to working at UConn, he was the Assistant Director of the Office of Multicultural Services and Programs at the University of Georgia. Jeffrey is a second-generation multiracial Filipino American, who grew up in Connecticut.

Elvin Chan, Assistant 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

 

Kay Fujiyoshi, College Day Graduate Assistant
Email: fujiyosh@uic.edu

I was born and raised in Chicago. I attended the University of Illinois- Champaign/Urbana and graduated with a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Education and attained a Masters in Educational Policy as well. After teaching in Chicago Public Schools, I began a doctorate program in Educational Policies and currently develop research on improving teacher education programs for Chicago. I also loves dogs, especially pit bulls.

 

 

Catherine Ifurung, Mentor Program Graduate Assistant
Email: mifuru2@uic.edu

I am a graduate student at the Jane Addams College of Social Work, concentrating in school social work. My passion is working with inner-city youth and for non-profit organizations. I was born in Manila, grew up in San Francisco, completed undergrad in Los Angeles and worked in San Jose. Now, Chicago and UIC are my newest “homes away from home.” As the graduate assistant for our Asian American Mentor Program, I have enjoyed exploring and learning more about the city. Please stop by the AARCC office to learn more about our programs and activities!

 

Amanda Jue , Community Outreach Coordinator
Email: ajue2@uic.edu

I am currently a fourth year student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. This is also my second year as AARCC's Community Outreach Coordinator! I am really excited to connect the UIC community with the Asian American communities around Chicago! I enjoy volunteering, and I'm also really into art, music, video games, and lots of other random stuff. I love to talk so come find me at AARCC and chat me up sometime; making new friends is always fun.