SEA SITE LITE

Melody Satele (she/her) is a recent graduate from the University of California-Los Angeles, with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and has served as a fierce advocate for her community and others during her tenure at UCLA. Melody’s family hails from the villages of Vailoatai, Tutuila and Faleasao, Manu’a in American Samoa. Born and raised on the traditional lands of the Yuhaviatam clan of Serrano people in San Bernardino, CA, Melody grew up with a strong understanding of the importance of education to her cultural identity as a Samoan woman. Mel is currently serving as the Environmental Justice Community Organizer for the SoCal Pacific Islander Community Response Team (SoCal PICRT), and as a Program Coordinator for UCLA’s Center for Community College Partnerships.

Aaron Sokthavy Tann is the Innovation Coordinator for the UCLA Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP). He grew up in Baldwin Park and is a son of Cambodian refugee survivors. He began his college journey as a dropout. After enrolling at Citrus College and participating in the CCCP Scholars Program, Aaron learned to contextualize his experience as a first-generation, Southeast Asian and man of color in higher education. Because of what he learned from his support systems, he successfully transferred to UCLA on the TAP Scholarship, where he earned his BA in Communication, summa cum laude with College Honors and Departmental Highest Honors. He was also awarded the Denise Apcar Award by the Department of Communication at his Commencement. At UCLA, he was a CCCP Peer Advisor and involved in the United Khmer Students, Southeast Campus Learning Education Academic and Retention, and Southeast Asian Transfer Enrichment Day. On his free time, he enjoys watching football, playing volleyball and listening to new music. 

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Mike is the UCLA Honors Programs assistant director for student development, teacher, mentor and counselor. Mexi-pino. Marathon runner. Mom-Centenarian-caregiver. Yoga teacher. Yale and Ph.D. firstgen survivor. He earned his PhD at the UCLA Graduate School of Education and his BA in Political Science at Yale University. Michael also completed a 200-hour Teacher Training & Certificate program in Yoga & Healing Sciences at Loyola Marymount University. He enjoys teaching students mindfulness exercises that include yoga and meditation to help them reduce stress, create safe spaces, and build community that fosters communication in diverse settings. Michael’s educational philosophy is holistic. It’s about working collaboratively with diverse students, faculty and staff in creating learning environments that validate each student’s academic and personal experiences in support of their success and future goals. Michael is a native Angelino, from Wilmington, CA. 

Transfer Student from De Anza College; CCCP Peer Advisor; Future LCSW; Cognitive Science, BS, UCLA