Yen Ling Shek
Coordinator

Yen Ling is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Multicultural Leadership Center, as well as its programs and services. She serves as advisor to cultural clubs and organizations and collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and community members on both campus and community programs. She joined Cal State Fullerton in September 2005 after receiving her master's degree in College Student Personnel from University of Maryland, College Park. Originally from Virginia, Yen Ling has worked in universities on equity and diversity issues for the past six years. She has previously worked at the Office of the Associate Provost for Equity and Diversity at University of Maryland, Pan-Asian American Community House at the University of Pennsylvania and the Greenfield Intercultural Center at UPenn.

Hideki Fukusumi
Program Coordinator

Hideki “Deks” Fukusumi is a fourth year Asian-American Studies major with a minor in Human Services. He wishes to go on to graduate school and pursue a career in Student Affairs. He is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Hip-hop Congress, and he is currently an Undergraduate Fellow for the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. His prior leadership experience includes two years working with New Student Orientation: one year as an Orientation Leader and the latter year as a Student Program Coordinator. He also serves as a Titan Ambassador in which he gives campus tours. When he's not engulfing himself in academics or work, he enjoys going to Hip-hop shows, singing karaoke in his car during his daily commute and barbequing with friends. Through his genuine passion and eclectic methods, he plans to better educate society to the best of his ability.

“For it matters not how small the beginning may seem to be: what is once well done is done forever” -Henry David Thoreau

Norene Protacio
Program Coordinator

As a fourth year student at Cal State Fullerton, Norene is majoring in Human Communications with an emphasis in Intercultural Communications. Being involved in the EMBRACE Program for two and half years has encouraged her to continue growing in her understanding of social justice issues and to actively engage herself in these issues. As the Program Coordinator of the MLC, she enjoys the interaction that she has with everyone and learning about the different cultures they are from. Through her position, she hopes to build the awareness of others and to encourage them to continue their advocacy for social justice.

Joshua Pugh
Multicultural Mentoring Program Director

Joshua Pugh is the assistant director of the mentoring program. At 20 years old Josh is majoring in Business Administration, where he plans to be a C.E.O. of a corporation one day. Josh has a desire to make a difference in his community by helping those in many ways. Josh has contributed to numerous charities and understands what he gives will not be unrecognized.

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Patricia Burgos
EMBRACE Director

Year: Fourth Year, Senior
Major: Illustration

Being part of the EMBRACE Program encouraged me to further my involvement on campus. It also enabled me to communicate more effectively with other individuals and learn about myself. The Multicultural Leadership Center (MLC) has given me the confidence and motivation to practice my leadership skills. It is a privilege to work with my fellow leaders and learn from them. I'm excited to spread my knowledge on social justice issues, leadership, and become a mentor to others.

Interests/hobbies : I love to draw!! Drawing helps me relax and express myself. I also love to travel; it's a great way to become aware of all the different cultures that are in this world.

Rachel Kha
AAPIL Institute Facilitator

She is the facilitator of AAPIL. She loves meeting new people, singing in the car, and snowboarding. Rachel lives off coffee and laughter. Rachel Kha is super excited to begin her junior year as a business major. Her favorite thing to do is to smile! Her life's goal is to make a difference in somebody's life.

Marianne Ng
AAPIL Institute Facilitator

Marianne Mg is a junior at CSUF majoring in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. She enjoys hanging out with friends, working out at 24 Hour Fitness, getting a tan, and eating. Her favorite meal of the day is dessert; bring her a chocolate silk pie and she'll give you her heart. You can most commonly find her on campus in the library computer lab downstairs or sleeping in the TSU. When she's not at school, she's working at Starbucks serving coffee with a smile. Feel free to contact her if you need a shoulder to lean on or a partner for the snowboarding lift. She'll be there.

Mally Badawi
EMBRACE Facilitator

Mally is a fifth year senior majoring in Psychology and Human Services. She plans on applying for Grad school this year to get her Masters in Social Work. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. On her spare time she enjoys belly dancing and watching Disney Channel.

Monique Cardenas
EMBRACE Facilitator

“Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Monique is a third year Sociology major with a minor in Human Services. She enjoys being active on campus in different clubs and organizations. She also enjoys educating herself on social matters by attending various conferences. Future goals include going to Spain and getting her MSW (Masters in Social Work).

Ruby Lu
EMBRACE Facilitator

“The crown is in front of you, you just have to put it on.” – Oprah Winfrey

Ruby Lu is currently a senior in CSUF majoring in Human Communications with an emphasis in Intercultural Communication of Organizational Communication. Her memorable experience as Embrace Program participant last semester has encouraged her to become the Embrace facilitator. She believes being an Embrace facilitator is a great opportunity to further her leadership communication skill. She is also a mentor in Multicultural Mentoring Program. She enjoys dancing, reading, watching movies, and eating great food in her spare time.

Debinder Vander
EMBRACE Facilitator

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Debinder Vander is a senior majoring in health science with a minor in political science. She wants to get her Bachelors of Science in Nursing and her masters in Global Health. She wants to travel around the world providing health care in areas where people cannot afford it.

Jon Blake
Diversity Peer Educator

“There is no suffering so small that it does warrant compassion” – Thich What Hahn

Jon is part of the Diversity Peer Educator program. He is currently working on his MS in Counseling. He is also working on bringing awareness to issues of social justice and diversity through his standup comedy and writings. His interests include cartooning, electric guitar, Zen Buddhism, and Christian Mysticism.