Diversity Ambassadors Program
The Diversity Ambassador Program is designed to foster 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.
Since 2014, more than 380 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 Ambassador Program is designed for APU faculty, staff, and administrators and is facilitated as a six-session intensive each semester. The program is offered online and face to face.
If you have recommendations for the program, send us an email at cdeie@apu.edu.
Administration
Office of the President
Keith E. Hall, EdD
Daren Bachman, MA
Teri Griffith, MEd
Office of the Provost
Kate Kimanzi
Allison Smith, MA
Carrie Ullmer
Director of Academic Finance and Program Development
- Email: cullmer@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
Regional Locations
Jennifer Jordan
Drake Levasheff, PhD
Senior Director, Orange County and Murietta Regional Campuses
- Email: dlevasheff@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Joel Powell
Colleges and Schools
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Denzil Barnett, MEd, MAT
Adjunct Professor, Department of Sociology, TESOL, and Modern Languages, 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
Charles Chen, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
- Email: cpchen@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Sharon McCathern, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics
- Email: smccathern@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2021
Manar Metry
Program Coordinator, Department of Sociology, TESOL, and Modern Languages
- 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
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, PhD
Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
- Email: jlyoung@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
College of the Arts
Amanda Fierro
Kristi Hawkins
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; Associate Professor, Department of Art
- Email: nlemus@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Ismael Lopez Medel, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies
- Email: ilopezmedel@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences
Jenss Chang, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Marriage and Family Therapy
- Email: jchang@apu.edu
Christy Gendron, DAT, ATC
Clinical Education Coordinator, MS in Athletic Training Program, and Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology
- Email: chancock@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2021
Wanda Mitchell
Bianca Ponciano
VP/CDO Graduate Assistant, Department of College Counseling and Student Development
- Email: bponciano20@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Angela Robles, EdD
Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology, Program Director, Graduate Physical Education: Curriculum Management and Event Planning
- Email: amrobles@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Louis Robles
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Leadership and Organizational Psychology
- Email: lrobles@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Kandy Mink Salas, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Higher Education; Program Director, EdD in Higher Education Leadership
- Email: kminksalas@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2015
Regina Chow Trammel, PhD, LCSW
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
Charity Vasquez, M.S., CCLS
Assistant Professor, Director of M.S. in Child Life Program, Department of Psychology
- Email: cvasquez@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2021
Carolyn Wickey
Program Coordinator, MA in Clinical Psychology (MFT)
- Email: cwickey@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2017
School of Business and Management
Daniel Park, PhD
Chair of Finance, Economics, and Business Analytics
- Email: dpark@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
School of Education
Catherine Hahs Brinkley, EdD
Chair and Assistant Professor, Division of Teacher Education; Program Director, Liberal Studies/Undergraduate Education, K-8
- 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, PhD
Director, School Counseling Program; Professor, Department of School Counseling and School Psychology
- Email: mcox@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2014
Ie May Freeman, EdD
Associate 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, EdD
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
School of Nursing
Nicole Airth
Marissa Brash, DrPH, EdD, MPH, CPH
Department Chair, Master of Public Health and Associate Professor
- Email: mbrash@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2020
Jennifer Elrod
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
Sarah Montes, MS, 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, PhD
Professor, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies; Program Director, Religious Studies Minor
- Email: kathrynsmith@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2014
Don Thorsen, PhD
Professor, Department of Biblical and Theological Studies
- Email: dthorsen@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Kent Walkemeyer, DMin
Associate Professor, Azusa Pacific Seminary and School of Theology; Director, Friends Center
- Email: kwalkemeyer@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Karen Strand Winslow, PhD
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, PhD
Professor, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies; Adjunct Professor, Azusa Pacific Seminary
- Email: ayafehdeigh@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2016
Enrique Zone, EdD
Associate Dean for Urban and Multicultural Programs; Professor of Ministry and Hispanic Church Leadership; Director, Hispanic Programs
- Email: ezone@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2016
University Libraries
Jennifer Blair, MSLIS, MA
Assistant Professor, University Libraries; Head of User Services
- Email: jblair@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Myrna Brown
Cheryl Chesler
Mona Girgis
Margot McLaren
Information Specialist II (Cataloging), Darling Library
- Email: mmclaren@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2019
Irene Molano
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, MA, MTS, MFA
Associate Professor, Librarian, and Curator, University Libraries
- Email: lzakharov@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2016
Centers, Offices, and Student Affairs
Athletics
Steven Garrett
Recruiting Coordinator/Assistant Coach (Baseball)
- Email: stevengarrett12@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Jack Hoyt
Josh Linker
Auxiliary Services
Heather Snyder
Business Office
Julie Bocock
Center for Career and Community-Engaged Learning
Asti Altenritter
Corrie Hawes
Moriah Holmes, MSW
Service-Learning Specialist, Academic Service-Learning
- Email: mnholmes@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2020
Victoria Leigh Julien
Michelle McDonald
Community Advancement Program Manager, Academic Service-Learning
- Email: mmmcdonald@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Peter Ou, MDiv
Rebecca “Becca” Payne
Erin Thorp
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
Mieke Cahyadi Plattner
Program Coordinator, Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence
- Email: mplattner@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2020
Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
Stephanie Juillerat, Ph.D.
Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment; Professor
- Email: sjuillerat@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Anayanci Rubalcaba
Department of Campus Safety
Terrence Deigh
Brian Dodson
Jonathan Ingles
John Kirstenpfad
Nathaniel Smith
Division of Strategic Communication and Engagement
Jason Cunningham
Jason Flicker
Sylvia Gex
Nathan Ingalls
Tim Myers
Maureen Taylor
Associate Vice President for External Affairs
- Email: maureentaylor@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2018
Rachel White
Enrollment Marketing and Communications
Jordan Abbott
Brett Barry
Jessica Granados
Rafi Maljian
Dustin Reynolds
Morgan Rogers
Graduate and Professional Enrollment
Jacquelyn Babikian
Graduate and Professional Admissions Representative
- Email: jbabikian@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2019
Melissa Carpenter
Student Account Specialist, Graduate and Professional Student Financial Services
- Email: mcarpenter@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2021
Crystal Coil
Admissions Data Specialist, Graduate and Professional Admissions
Ambassador since Spring 2021
Iris Cordova
Student Account Specialist, Graduate and Professional Student Financial Services
- Email: icordova@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2020
Ashley Kerr
Associate Director, Graduate and Professional Center
- Email: ankerr@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Jenny Lee
Student Account Specialist, Graduate and Professional Student Financial Services
- Email: jennylee@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Heidi Marti
Graduate and Professional Admissions Representative
- Email: hmarti@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Cheryl Mendoza
Debra Nasipak
Graduate and Professional Admissions Representative
- Email: dnasipak@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Andrea Picazo
Assistant Director, Graduate and Professional Student Financial Services
- Email: avpicazo@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2016
Lauren Simon, MS
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
Sa Lisa Thomas
Student Account Specialist, Graduate and Professional Student Financial Services
- Email: sathomas@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2020
Hope Thompson
Student Account Specialist, Graduate and Professional Student Financial Services
- Email: hthompson@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Jeremiah Yang
Theresa Yen
Honors College
Curtis Isozaki
Information Technology
AnaMaria Padro
Dante Cordova
Frank Dubisz
Christopher Kelly
Director, Athletics Broadcasting, Media, and Live Events
- Email: cjkelly@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Holly Magnuson
Lara Meeks
Niona Narajos
Rick Roberts
Yasha Sojwal
Broadcast/Production Operations and Event Engineer, Media Production
- Email: ysojwal@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2021
Ashlie Valencia
Office of Alumni Engagement
Angie DiClaudio
Angelica Echevarria
Office of Commuter Life
Caitlyn Ratliff
Office of Facilities Management
Andre Garces
Office of Faculty Evaluation
Sue Olson
Office of Human Resources
John Baugus, MBA, MDR, SPHR
Terri Drechsler, MA
Robbyn Gibson
Luchy Guerra, MAM
Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Human Resources
- Email: lguerra@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2017
Katie Guyer
Lisa Handy
Stephanie Martin
Paola Martinez
Dayana Williams
Office of Military and Veteran Services
Everette Brooks III
Vannessa Weber
Associate Director, Military and Veteran Education Benefits
- Email: vweber@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Ariel Williams
VA School Certifying Official, Military and Veteran Education Benefits
- Email: alwilliams@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Division of University Advancement
Bernice Hong
Ayodele Steward
Audrey Yeoh
Spiritual Life
Tracy Bolton
Joshua M. Fieldson
Colie Krueger
Karen Rouggly
Laurelyn Shaw
Austin Welty
Jason Le Shana
Fritzie Umana
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, MA
Jannet Guzman
Assistant Campus Pastor, Office of Campus Ministry
- Email: jguzman@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2017
Adam Higginbotham
Rev. Rebekah A.R. Loufik, MDiv
Discipleship Mentoring Coordinator/Campus Pastor, Office of Campus Ministry
- Email: rloufik@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2020
Kody Schneider
Jared Votaw
Undergraduate Admissions
Sara Ruiz
Mutoni Ingabire
Undergraduate Enrollment Services Center
Melinda Blunt
Saicha Crawford
Angee Haro
Ashley Luna
Undergraduate Support Services
Armando Bustos, MS
TRIO Upward Bound Project Director, Academic Success Center
- Email: abustos@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2020
Stephanie Gala, MA ’14
Kristyn Hernandez, MS
Academic Success Coach, Academic Success Center
- Email: kdhernandez@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Alexa Johansen, MA
First-Year Seminar and Special Projects Coordinator
- Email: ajohansen@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Rhonda Jones, EdS
Bryce Kuboyama, MDiv
Academic Success Coach, Academic Success Center
- Email: bkuboyama@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Patricia Larson
Program Coordinator, Career and Community-Engaged Learning, Academic Success Center
- Email: plarson@apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Jessica Posey
Ana Quiroz
Coordinator, Accessibility and Disability Resources, Academic Success Center
- Email: aquiroz@uc.apu.edu
Ambassador since Fall 2020
Anneliese Trujillo, MA ’14
Academic Success Coach, Academic Success Center
- Email: atrujillo@apu.edu
Ambassador since Spring 2019
Andrea Yanes, MS
David Zovak, DMin
University Counseling Center
Patricia Becerra, MSW, LCSW