APSS STAFF
APSS Director: Michelle Ko
Michelle Ko is a long-time community educator and leader who has conducted leadership and diversity trainings with the LeaderShape Institute, Korea Society, Organization of Chinese Americans, National Equity Center, National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference, New York University, Emory University, Georgetown University and Columbia University. She has taught courses at Columbia University, The City College of New York, and Loyola Marymount University.
Committed to increasing access and equity in post-secondary education, she was a long-time volunteer mentor and board member for NYC's Asian Professional Extension, an organization committed to the personal development of disadvantaged Asian American youth. She has regularly served as a reader for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, a consultant for the New York Times College Prep Seminar, and a Southern California Selection Day judge for the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs, a full-time, nine month, graduate-level experiential leadership training program that prepares diverse, intelligent and committed individuals for effective and ethical leadership in the public affairs arena.
Michelle's work as an educator extends to environmental and community advocacy through her volunteer service with the Speaker's Bureau of Heal the Bay (an environmental organization dedicated to making Southern California coastal waters safe and healthy for people and marine life) and her service with the Southern California steering committee of Project by Project (a national organization of social entrepreneurs which uses new methods of raising awareness, volunteerism and capital for the non-profit community). Michelle currently serves on the national Board of Directors for Project by Project. A theatre-enthusiast, Michelle currently serves on the board of directors for the Lodestone Theatre Ensemble which is committed to providing a forum for Asian Pacific American artists involved in all aspects of the theatre arts seeking to challenge the limited perceptions of Asian Pacific Americans. Michelle also serves on the board of directors for the Asian Pacific Community Fund, a community-based fund that was created to fulfill a need for a unified effort to educate and encourage donors to direct their charitable giving to benefit community organizations serving the rapidly growing population of Asian Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles.
In 2002, she was named one of the Top 30, Under 30 Most Influential Asian Pacific Americans in America by Political Circus. In 2007, she was presented with the Herstory Award for National Women's History Month honoring her contributions to creating a more equitable and just environment for women at Loyola Marymount University and the larger community.
Ms. Ko completed her B.A. at the UC Irvine and studied at Columbia University where she completed her M.A. and Ed.M. in Student Personnel Administration and her doctoral coursework in Organization and Leadership. Michelle served as a student affairs administrator at Columbia University and launched a national Asian American non-profit organization before arriving at Loyola Marymount University in fall 2002.
2009-2010 APSS Fellows
Sarah Fukui '11
Ashley Lin '12
Michelle Liu '12
Lindsey Lowe '13
Arielle Nomura '13
Brian Takao '13
Brian Tee '13
Lara Torii '10
Matthew Yamamoto '11
Summer 2009 APSS Intern
Fatima Galvez
2008-2009 APSS Special Projects Coordinators (SPCs)
Joey Aguilo, '09
Ben Biscocho, '10
Sarah Fukui, '11
Kimmie Hoang, '10
Brian Kang, '12
Ashley Lin, '12
Michelle Liu, '12
Lara Torii, '10
Nathan Tran, '12
Amanda Wah, '10
2008-2009 APSS Special Projects Assistant (SPA)
Gonzalo Puig, '12
2007-2008 APSS Special Projects Coordinators (SPCs)
Amanda Wah
Catherine Abalos
Joey Aguilo
Joy Robel
Kimberly Hoang
Liberty Padre
Ryan Bautista
Tessa Williams
2006-2007 APSS Special Projects Coordinators (SPCs)
Audrey Lo
Bryson Ishii
Catherine Abalos
Christie Fujinaka
Christopher Yamashiro
Cynthia Salim
Edzen Cortez
Karima Jivani
Ryan Bautista
2005-2006 APSS Special Projects Coordinators (SPCs)
Angelo Ignacio
Christie Fujinaka
Christopher Yamashiro
Cynthia Salim
Edzen Cortez
Nicholas Kang
2004-2005 APSS Special Projects Coordinators (SPCs)
Bonny Taing
Christine Ye
Desiree Yamamoto
Derrick Leong
Joanne Dai
Joyce Lee
Karly Suzuki
Kimberly Sanchez
Lauren Hiramoto
Matthew Kam
Muna Nnorom
2003-2004 APSS Special Projects Coordinators (SPCs)
Alex Ho
Christine Ye
Desiree Yamamoto
Gail Pansacola
Joanne Dai
Karly Suzuki
Kimberly Sanchez
Lauren Hiramoto
Lucie-Ann Chen
Travis Teruya
Viet Mai
Summer 2003 APSS Special Projects Coordinators (SPCs)
Michelle Yeung
Diana Cirunay
2002-2003 APSS Special Projects Coordinators (SPCs)
Anh Mai
Gail Pansacola
Lauren Hiramoto
Travis Teruya
Viet Mai