Staff & Interns

Director of the Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center

Caz Salamanca (he/him/siya) is an educator with over 10 years of experience in Higher Education. Raised in the Bay Area, Caz received his bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science from UC San Diego, where he was heavily involved in the Filipino American interest student organization. Since then, his professional and personal engagement in social justice work in higher education carried him through earning his Master's degree in Education from San Diego State University, and his previous experience as the Assistant Director of the MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center at San José State University. 

Caz is excited to return to California, the UC system and multicultural affairs, from his most recent experience as an Adviser and Diversity Programs Coordinator for the School of Public Health at the University of Washington in Seattle. Caz's interests include student identity and leadership development, hip hop education, and exploring social justice issues of pop culture. He also loves cooking, doing puzzle/escape rooms, and boba!

Interim Program Coordinator

Tia (she/her) is a mixed (half-Chinese/half-white) third-generation Asian American from Oakland, CA. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz (John R. Lewis College ’21) with a bachelor’s degree in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies; Education, Democracy, and Justice; and Psychology.Tia’s time as a student intern with AA/PIRC, inspired her to return to campus after graduation and continue working in college programming. After working two years as the CoCurricular Programs Assistant at C9/JRLC for the CoCo, Tia is excited to return to AA/PIRC part-time to continue supporting the AA/PI and SWANA communities at UCSC

Graduate Student Coordinator

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

4th year International PhD student

Greetings All! My name is Alissa Takesy and I am a fourth-year international PhD student in the Environmental Studies Department with a designated emphasis in Coastal Science and Policy. I am a Pacific islander from Micronesia and a first-gen graduate student. So excited to work with AA/PIRC again; looking forward to collaborating with other grad groups to give support to our grad student community; and supporting our AA/PI/SWANA undergrad students. In my free time, I like to try out spicy recipes, talk story with family and friends, and binge watch cold case mystery shows.

SWANA Programs & Outreach Intern

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

College: Nine

Major: Computer Science

Hi everyone! I'm Nada and I'm a second-year computer science student at UCSC. I grew up in San Diego but I'm originally Syrian. I'm excited to work with AAPIRC to help support and advocate for the SWANA community on campus.

Media Intern and Lead

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

College: College Ten/John R. Lewis

Major: Cognitive Science

Hello, my name is Ashley Hom! I am a third year majoring in Cognitive Science and am specifically interested in the human-computer interaction aspect of cognitive science. I am from San Francisco and identify as a first-generation Chinese American. I am excited to work with AA/PIRC and am especially excited about making new connections within this community. My hobbies include arts and crafts, spending time outdoors, and watching television shows. I also like graphic design which is why I am really excited to be one of the media interns this year!

Programs and Outreach Interns and BtS mentor

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

College: Cowell College

Major: Psychology

I'm Arielle Poon! I'm a second year intensive psychology major. I'm from Fontana, California and I enjoy going to the beach, hanging out with my friends, and exploring new foods. I am so excited to work at AA/PIRC and excited to create connections within the community through my work!

Programs and Outreach Intern

Pronouns: He/Him/His

College: Crown

Major: Computer Science: Game Design

Hello, my name is Vincent Kurniadjaja and I am currently a 4th year student majoring in Computer Science: Game Design. This is my second year as a programs intern and my first as an outreach inter here at AA/PIRC. I am excited to help put on many different types of programs at AA/PIRC as well as help plan some of their signature events. Some events I look forward to would be AA/PIRC's signature Comedy Night as well as Community Celebration during AA/PI Heritage Month

AA/PI Programs & Outreach Intern

Pronouns: She/Her

College:Kresge

Major: Linguistics

Hi! I'm Lucy and I'm a second year majoring in linguistics. I'm from Socal and am excited to strengthen the unity between AA/PI/SWANA students as well as other diverse identities on campus.

Media Intern

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

College: Oakes

Major:  Art Game Playable Media

My name is Sophia and I am a third year at UCSC! This is my first year being an intern at AA/PIRC. I was born and grew up in Vietnam. I'm full Vietnamese but I speak tiny Japanese. I enjoy painting, going to the beach, driving my car and traveling! I also love boba and I get boba whenever I'm happy or sad. I'm looking forward to contribute my experience within AA/PI/SWANA communities here at UCSC!

Pasifika Programs & Outreach Intern

Pronouns: He/Him

College: Cowell

Major: Global Community Health major

I'm a 3rd Year Global Community Health major with an interest in how colonial structures impact peoples' health and wellbeing. I'm CHamoru (the people of Guam) and mostly grew up in a small town called Ridgecrest. In my free time I like to soak up the Sun, write poetry, cook, and dance to some smooth jazz records. I'm excited to celebrate culture and community with AA/PIRC! hoping we can help students feel comfortable in being their truest selves on campus

SWANA Programs Intern

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

College: College Nine

Major: Cognitive Science

My name is Tara and I'm a 3rd year at UCSC! I was born and raised in the bay area and in my free time I love to thrift, go to concerts, cook, and am currently teaching myself how to play the guitar. Also a huge boba fan. I'm a first generation Iranian American and am invested in the liberation of all marginalized identities. I'm look forward to cultivating a sense of belonging as well as community within the SWANA community at UCSC!