Diversity Ambassadors Program
The Diversity Ambassadors Program fosters a multidimensional, transformative commitment to diversity in staff, faculty, and administrators as they aspire to ensure that all students and other members of the APU community feel respected, are successful, and thrive in their experience at APU.
Over the past six years, more than 300 faculty, staff, and administrators have been trained as diversity ambassadors, who are influential in designing and facilitating professional development for schools and departments and have developed a diversity curriculum and other resources for use by staff and faculty. In partnership with APU leadership, diversity ambassadors have been influential in the facilitation of faculty and professional development, the integration of department-specific, diversity-focused resources, and support of the university diversity strategic plans. As a result, all levels of the university are actively involved in significant conversations regarding diversity, including the president and cabinet members in their diversity ambassador training—the Executive Diversity Academy (EDA).
The Diversity Ambassadors Program is designed for APU faculty, staff, and administrators and is facilitated as a six-session intensive, available each semester. If you have recommendations for the program, send us an email at cdeie@apu.edu.
Administration
Office of the President
Andrew Barton, Ed.D.
Vice President for Strategic Planning and Mission Integration
- Email: abarton@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2017
Keith E. Hall, Ed.D.
Colleges and Schools
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Denzil Barnett, M.Ed., MAT
Adjunct Professor, Department of Global Studies, Sociology, and TESOL, and American Language and Culture Institute
- Email: dbarnett@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
Joshua Canada
Director of Strategic Partnerships, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Email: jcanada@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Kevin Chan, M.A. TESOL
Adjunct Professor, American Language and Culture Institute
- Email: kevinchan@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2017
Manar Metry
Program Coordinator, Department of Global Studies, Sociology, and TESOL
- Email: mmetry@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2015
Nicole Mulcahy
Michelle Pilch
Administrative Assistant, Department of Biology and Chemistry
- Email: mpilch@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Theodore Szeto, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Academic Success Center; Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics; Affiliated Faculty, Department of Engineering and Computer Science
- Email: tszeto@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2015
Willetta Toole-Simms, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
- Email: wsimms@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2017
Yun-Lan Wong
Chemistry Research Assistant and Administrative Assistant, Department of Biology and Chemistry
- Email: ywong@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Jennifer Young, Ph.D.
Interim Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
- Email: jlyoung@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
College of the Arts
Patricia Graffius
Jodi Jordan
Administrative Assistant, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Email: jmjordan@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2017
Christopher Keene, MFA
Associate Professor of Technical Theater, Department of Theater Arts
- Email: ckeene@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2016
Nery Lemus, MFA
Program Director, MFA in Visual Art; Assistant Professor, Department of Art
- Email: nlemus@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Ismael Lopez Medel, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies
- Email: ilopezmedel@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
Kristi Hawkins
School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences
Jenss Chang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Marriage and Family Therapy
- Phone: (626) 815-6000, Ext. 5202
- Email: jchang@apu.edu
- Office Location: Mary Hill Center, Room 215
Karen Maynard, M.A.
Assistant Professor and Director of Student Services, MSW Program, Department of Social Work
- Email: kmaynard@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2014
Wanda Mitchell
Jennifer Shepard Payne, Ph.D., LCSW
Associate Professor, MSW Program, Department of Social Work
- Email: jspayne@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
Katharine Putman, Psy.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology
- Email: kputman@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2017
Kandy Mink Salas, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Higher Education; Program Director, Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership
- Email: kminksalas@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2015
Regina Chow Trammel, Ph.D., LCSW
Associate Professor, MSW Program, Department of Social Work
- Email: rtrammel@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2016
Louis Tuthill, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Criminal Justice
- Email: ltuthill@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Carolyn Wickey
Program Coordinator, M.A. in Clinical Psychology (MFT)
- Email: cwickey@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2017
School of Business and Management
Daniel Park, Ph.D.
Professor; Chair of Entrepreneurship, Marketing, and Finance
- Email: dpark@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
School of Education
Kathleen Bautista, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor, Division of Teacher Education
- Email: kbautista@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Catherine Hahs Brinkley, Ed.D.
Chair, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Program Director, Multiple Subject Credential Program; Assistant Professor, Division of Teacher Education
- Email: cbrinkley@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Rose Brito
Administrative Assistant, Department of School Counseling and School Psychology
- Email: rbrito@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
Michelle Cox, Ph.D.
Director, School Counseling and Professor, Department of School Counseling and School Psychology
- Email: mcox@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2014
Ie May Freeman, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor, Division of Teacher Education
- Email: ifreeman@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2016
Evan Gallagher
Multiple and Single Subjects Records Coordinator
- Email: emgallagher@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2015
Maureen E. Latham, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor and Superintendent in Residence, Department of Educational Leadership
- Email: mlatham@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Julie Magana
Coordinator, Special Education Credential Programs
- Email: jmagana@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Carol Tuthill
Program Representative, Department of School Counseling and School Psychology
- Email: ctuthill@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2016
School of Nursing
Ethel MacGregor
Belén McDaniel
Anthony S. Persad
Program Manager, Azusa Campus and Monrovia Classrooms
- Email: apersad@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2015
Jennifer Reeve
Kim Rysell
Brent A. Wood, PhD
Nursing Site Director, Monrovia Site and Associate Professor
- Email: bwood@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2015
School of Theology and Azusa Pacific Seminary
Yanina Espinoza
Deona Hairston
Student Services Coordinator, Azusa Pacific Seminary
- Email: dhairston@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Jill MacLaren
Gregg Moder, D.Min.
Associate Professor, Department of Practical Theology
- Email: gmoder@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2017
Sarah Montes, M.S., CLI-CA
Coordinator, Division of Religion and Philosophy
- Email: smontes@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Carmeli Silva
Director of External Relations, Azusa Pacific Seminary
- Email: casilva@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2015
Kay Higuera Smith, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies; Program Director, Religious Studies Minor
- Email: kathrynsmith@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2014
Don Thorsen, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Biblical and Theological Studies
- Email: dthorsen@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Kent Walkemeyer, D.Min.
Associate Professor, Azusa Pacific Seminary and School of Theology; Director, Friends Center
- Email: kwalkemeyer@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Karen Strand Winslow, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Biblical and Theological Studies; Director, Master of Arts (Theological Studies)
- Email: kwinslow@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Alice Yafeh-Deigh, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies; Adjunct Professor, Azusa Pacific Seminary
- Email: ayafehdeigh@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2016
Enrique Zone, Ed.D.
Associate Dean for Urban and Multicultural Programs; Professor of Ministry and Hispanic Church Leadership; Chair, Urban and Multicultural Studies
- Email: ezone@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2016
University Libraries
Jennifer Blair, MSLIS, M.A.
Assistant Professor, University Libraries; Head of User Services
- Email: jblair@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Myrna Brown
Cheryl Chesler
Mona Girgis
Irene Molano
Irma Nicola
Maria Pacino, Ed.D., MLS
Interim Head of University Libraries; Professor, University Libraries; Chair, Department of Library and Information Studies
- Email: mpacino@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2014
Evelyn Shimazu Yee, MLIS
Associate Professor, University Libraries; Head of Library Community Relations; Librarian/Curator in Special Collections, University Libraries
- Email: eyee@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2016
Luba Zakharov, MLS, M.A., MTS, MFA
Associate Professor, Librarian, and Curator, University Libraries
- Email: lzakharov@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2016
Centers, Offices, and Student Affairs
Center for Academic Service-Learning
Rebecca “Becca” Payne
Michelle McDonald
Program Coordinator, Center for Academic Service-Learning
- Email: mmmcdonald@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Career Center
Stephanie Cothran
Corrie Hawes
Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence
Stephanie Haskins
Executive Assistant to the Office of the Vice President/Chief Diversity Officer
- Email: shaskins@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2017
Center for Global Learning and Engagement
Asti Altenritter
Suzie Fox
Kate Kimanzi
Assistant Director of Communication and Recruitment
- Email: kkimanzi@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2017
Allison Smith
Erin Thorp
Carrie Ullmer
Center for Student Action
Joshua M. Fieldson
Colie Krueger
Karen Rouggly
Laurelyn Shaw
Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
Stephanie Fenwick, Ed.D.
Executive Director of Curricular and Instructional Effectiveness, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment; Adjunct Professor, M.A. in Leadership Program
- Email: sfenwick@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
Stephanie Juillerat, Ph.D.
Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment; Professor
- Email: sjuillerat@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Department of Campus Safety
Timothy Collins
Graduate and Professional Enrollment
Mae Gill
Associate Director, Graduate and Professional Student Financial Services
- Email: mgill@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
Michelle Johnson
Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management
- Email: mmjohnson@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Andrea Picazo
Assistant Director, Graduate and Professional Student Financial Services
- Email: avpicazo@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
Caitlyn Ratliff
Academic Records Specialist, Graduate and Professional Registrar
- Email: cratliff@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Lauren Simon, M.S.
Client Services Coordinator, Graduate and Professional Center
- Email: lsimon@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Jacqueline Soto
Student Account Counselor, Graduate and Professional Student Financial Services
- Email: jsoto@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Garnet Tipton
Assistant Registrar, Graduate and Professional Registrar
- Email: gtipton@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
William Watkins
Program Representative, Graduate and Professional Admissions
- Email: wwatkins@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Information and Media Technology
Frank Dubisz
Holly Magnuson
Lara Meeks
Office of Corporate Worship
Jason Le Shana
Fritzie Umana
Office of Facilities Management
Andre Garces
Office of Human Resources
Paola Martinez
John Baugus
Terri Drechsler
Luchy Guerra
Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Human Resources
- Email: lguerra@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2017
Lisa Handy
Stephanie Martin
Office of Military and Veteran Services
Everette Brooks III
Vannessa Weber
Assistant Director, Military and Veteran Education Benefits
- Email: vweber@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Office of Alumni Engagement
Angelica Echevarria
Office of University Advancement
Bernice Hong
Ayodele Steward
Audrey Yeoh
Division of Strategic Communication and Engagement
Maureen Taylor
Associate Vice President for External Affairs
- Email: maureentaylor@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Rafi Maljian
Jordan Abbott
Evelyn Allen
Brett Barry
Jason Cunningham
Senior Copy Editor for Catalog and Curriculum
- Email: jcunningham@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Jason Flicker
Sylvia Gex
Jessica Granados
Silvia Hanna
Nathan Ingalls
Erick Mock
Tim Myers
Allison Oster
Dustin Reynolds
Nicole Spano
Rachel White
Student Center for Reconciliation and Diversity
Aaron Hinojosa
Student Affairs
Arissa Alvarez
Administrative Assistant, Office of Campus Ministry
- Email: aalvarez@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Mary Grams
Jannet Guzman
Assistant Campus Pastor, Office of Campus Ministry
- Email: jguzman@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Adam Higginbotham
Elaine Richardson, Psy.D.
Director, Office of Women's Development; Adjunct Professor, Department of Higher Education
- Email: erichardson@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2014
Jared Votaw
Undergraduate Enrollment Services Center
Melinda Blunt
Emmaleigh Carlson
Undergraduate Support Services
Alexa Johansen, M.A.
First-Year Seminar and Special Projects Coordinator
- Email: ajohansen@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Bryce Kuboyama, M.Div.
Academic Success Coach, Academic Success Center
- Email: bkuboyama@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Stephanie Gala
Jessica Posey
Anneliese Trujillo, M.S. ’14
Academic Success Coach, Academic Success Center
- Email: atrujillo@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
David Zovak, D.Min.
Writing Center
Deborah Escalante, M.A., MFA