Ang Lee ‘25
Major: Political Studies
Hometown: Oakland, CA
Ang is passionate about topics of identity, power, resistance, and transformation. As a program intern at CAPAS, Ang hopes to create and facilitate engaging workshops which benefit all Pitzer APIDA identifying students. Outside of school Ang enjoys watching the latest scary movie, eating spicy noodles, and finding new scenic viewpoints.
Angelina Nhiv ‘26
Major: Human Biology
Hometown: Lynn, MA
Hi! My name is Angelina and I am a first generation Cambodian-American born and raised in Lynn, MA! I am an intended human bio major with a focus in public health. In addition to CAPAS, I am involved with PASU (Pasifika Asian Student Union) and First Gen club. I love listening to music, cleaning, and trying out new recipes! With being in the community & outreach committee, I hope to foster engagement with APIDA community members and organizations not just within the Claremont area. A fun fact about me is that my fingers are double jointed!
Anya Sharma ‘26
Major: Economics & Data Science
Hometown: Princeton, New Jersey
Ethnicity: Indian American
Extracurriculars: CAPAS, Admissions Tour Guide, Campus Aesthetics Committee on Student Senate, Mentor for South Asian Mentorship Program
My goal for CAPAS is to ensure that all identities under the AAPI title are represented in events and festivals. Additionally, I want to further foster inclusivity and community within the AAPI community at the 5Cs and Pitzer specifically.
Bảo Trân Nguyễn ‘25
Major: English
Minor: Media Studies
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
I am a third-year majoring in English on the Narrative Arts for Social Justice track and minoring in Media Studies. I am the daughter of Vietnamese refugees and proudly identifies with my hometown Lawrence, MA. I am the co-president of the Vietnamese Student Association, a PASU sponsor, and a Head Fellow at the Writing Center. I hope to make CAPAS a safe and accessible space for Southeast Asian students to discuss their specific positionalities in the United States through creating art. I use art and writing as a way of forming my identity and connecting with others. When I am not writing, I am crocheting, playing games, or watching movies.
Casey Xu ’25
Major: Asian American Studies and American Studies
Hometown: Irvine, CA & Guangzhou, China
Extracurriculars: QQMP (Queer and Questioning Mentor Program)
I’m part of the Political Education committee this year and am most looking forward to collaborating with AARC’s first-gen/low-income & Southeast Asian committees on the Intro to Community Organizing series! I’ve always liked napping on the AARC couches after getting chicken tenders and young coconut from the Coop, so I’m excited to get to know AARC & its student staff more this year and integrate CAPAS & AARC knowledge and resources on a project I’m passionate about!
Emily Kim ‘24
Major: Critical Global Studies
Minor: Data Science Minor
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
I started working at CAPAS my freshman year over zoom, and I am so grateful for Linda and the fellow student workers throughout the years!
Eunice Kim ‘25
Major: English Literature
Minor: Asian American Studies
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Ethnicity: Korean/American
At CAPAS, I hope to host more guest speaker events that bring in Asian American organizers/scholars/activists we can learn from and create sustainable relationships with, imagining Asian American futures that prioritize community care rather than state power. I am currently also a PASU sponsor and intern at CASA (Critical Action + Social Advocacy). I love writing, fashion, graphic design, and very spicy food!
Hassan Aftab ‘26
Major: Mathematical Economics
Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
My passion lies in fostering a sense of community, especially for individuals from diverse backgrounds, both within the campus and beyond. My role at CAPAS is driven by this commitment, where I aim not only to create a strong sense of community but also to celebrate the diverse tapestry of cultures that enrich our campus life.
You’ll frequently see me enjoying life’s little delights, like the pure joy of coming across the cute squirrels and bunnies on campus.
Jasmine Caniban ‘25
Major: Political Studies
Hometown: St Mary City, Maryland
Jasmine enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and taking naps on the CAPAS couches. She hopes to help host more political education events and work on the archive project at CAPAS this year. One thing on her bucket list is to learn Tagalog and Bisaya!
Katie Wang ‘24
Major: Sociology
Minor: French
Hometown: Kirkland, WA
Outside of CAPAS, I am one of the Editor-in-Chief for the 7C Literary Arts Magazine, Agave Review. Additionally, I am an intern at Intercollegiate Feminist Center! Finally, I spend a lot of time taking care of my dog on campus—say hi if you see us around!
Kenny Lê ’25
Major: Political Studies and Asian American Studies
Hometown: Anaheim, CA
Their experience growing up in Little Saigon, Orange County shaped their commitment to empower APID/A youth. Aside from his work at CAPAS, he is the co-founder of the 5C Racial Justice Coalition (RJC), a political outreach member for VietRISE, the former president of the Asian Pacific American Coalition (now known as PASU), and was the former operations lead for the Students for Farmworkers Support Group (SFFW).
Maile Akioka ’27
Major: Undecided
Hometown: Oakland, CA
Ethnicity: Filipino-Hawaiian
The name Maile originated from the plant indigenous to Hawaii; it is commonly used to make leis. I love fashion, art, and music (specifically live music). Eventually, I’d like to work in the business side of the fashion industry.
Natasha Yen ‘25
Major: Sociology and Environmental Analysis
Minor: Asian American Studies
Hometown: Santa Clara, California
Ethnicity: Chinese-Taiwanese American
Extracurriculars: CAPAS, Career Fellow, Robert Redford Conservancy Fellow, & 5C badminton club! I was also previously head sponsor of the Asian Pacific American Coalition (now known as PASU) sponsor program!
I love eating good food, being out in nature, painting, crafting, and traveling. In CAPAS, I am working on the Archive Project to document the histories of Asian/Pacific Islander student organizing at Pitzer!
Nhi Thanh Phan ‘25
Major: Psychology and Asian American Studies
Hometown: San Jose, California
Identity: Vietnamese
My goal is to live in a small quiet house with my cats, python, and plants.
I love cooking and experimenting with new recipes. I also love sharing my food with other people (food is my love language). I’m passionate about providing culturally competent mental health services to underserved communities. Through CAPAS, I hope to show APIDA students different communities in LA and the different resources they have for them outside of Pitzer.
Fun fact: I am a matcha snob <3
Shanelle Lim ‘25
Major: Science Management (Concentration in Environmental Management)
Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Ethnicity: Filipina-Chinese American
Fun Fact: I love crocheting and sewing! My favorite hobby is thrift-flipping my closet:)
Extracurriculars: President of 5Cs Kasama (2022-2023), Project Lead Consultant at Claremont Sustainability Consulting, Consultant with Pomona Consulting Group, 5C Swim Club, Finance Intern for Musizi University, Student Services Operations Coordinator
I aspire to consult in the philanthropic/nonprofit sector so I can stay true to my values and contribute to dismantling capitalist agendas and creating opportunities for marginalized communities. I also hope to go to graduate school in the future and earn an MBA. As a CAPAS program intern, I want to dismantle the issue of the broad and inadequate label of “Asian American” that overlooks the diversity within the APIDA community and fails to represent the unique experiences, cultures and histories of various ethnic groups. I will work to ensure that CAPAS promotes inclusivity and cultivates a strong and welcoming space for all APIDA students in the 5Cs.
Sara Kimura ‘25
Major: Political Studies, prelaw
Minor: Asian American Studies
Hometown: Big Island, Hawai’i
Born and raised on a farm in the Big Island of Hawai’i, Sara spent her high school years working with NOAA fisheries assisting with research on the local sea turtle population. Throughout her time at Pitzer college she has been involved several roles on campus such as judicial council, residence hall council, and 5C Hawai’i Club: Hui Laule’a. The only Pitzer organization Sara has worked with as long as CAPAS is student Senate, as she was hired as a staff member and elected Class President at the same time. She is most proud of her work in establishing pay for student leaders and continues to push for more student leaders being compensated and creating support for affinity students.
Skylar Masuda ‘24
Major: Classics
Hometown: Wailuku, Hawai’i
I love painting and screen printing. I also work in the print lab at the Hive. In my free time, I like going to concerts and watching scary movies.
