Meet Our Team

Dawn Cheung, MSW

AANAPISI Grant Manager
Pronouns: She/Her/They           
Email: Dawn.Cheung@seattlecolleges.edu

Dawn Cheung is a 1.5 generation Chinese American who was born and raised in Seattle, Washington! She is a first-generation college student and completed her undergrad and graduate programs at the University of Washington! She holds a master's in social work (MSW) degree with a specialization in Community Centered Integrative Practices. With over 10+ years’ experience as a career and student services professional -in non-profit and various education settings (higher education, K-12, & bootcamps) - her work focuses on the intersections of student support services, social work, and program management! Dawn cares deeply for issues surrounding AANAPI communities and is so excited to do this work with and alongside folks on advancing and advocating AANAPI student voices. As a once lost and confused student who did not know where to go to for support nor where to find community or peers who could resonate, her north star is ensuring that students do not have to feel or experience the isolation she felt and instead find comfort and community wherever they are in their educational journey.           
Learn more about my education and career journey through my LinkedIn!   

Jordan Veniegas, MSW

AANAPISI Navigator

Pronouns: He, Him, His (What's this?)           
Email: jordan.veniegas@seattlecolleges.edu           
Phone: (206)-936-3914

Jordan Veniegas is a Native Hawaiian, Filipino, Japanese, and Portuguese cisgender male who was born and raised on the island of O’ahu. He holds a master's degree in Social Work (MSW) with a specialization in Child and Family from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, a bachelor's degree in Social Sciences with a specialization in Psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi at West O’ahu, and an associate degree in Liberal Arts from Leeward Community College.

While residing in Hawai’i, Jordan interned at local nonprofit organizations, such as Family Promise of Hawai’i (FPH) and Child and Family Services (CFS). As a graduate intern, he supported Hawai’i’s families who were furthest from economic justice and co-facilitated interpersonal violence (IPV) groups for mandated male identified individuals. After obtaining his MSW, Jordan humbly stepped into his role as an Independent Living and Imua kākou Case Manager (IK CM). As an IK CM, Jordan had the privilege to work alongside and support Hawai’i’s foster youth and former foster youth as they navigated through young adulthood and challenges relating to houselessness, behavioral mental health, financial instability, interpersonal violence, substance use, trauma, and relational strain. While also recognizing their innate strengths, resilience, and hopes/dreams.   

Jordan is a proud indigenous social worker who is passionate about decolonizing systems of oppression and advocating for LGBTQ2IA+ rights and visibility. As an A&PI community member, he recognizes the liberating force of higher education while also acknowledging the numerous and unique challenges that too many Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander students continue to experience throughout their academic voyage. With intention, he hopes to continue his efforts to uplift, empower, mitigate, and celebrate A&PI students at North Seattle College as they continue to strive towards (and achieve) their educational, career, and life aspirations. Jordan looks forward to listening, learning, discovering, honoring, creating, reclaiming, and building community with you all!

Aranya Kitnikone

AANAPISI Graduate Intern
Graduate Intern
 

Pronouns: She, Her

Aranya Kitnikone is a proud Lao American, born and raised in Poulsbo, Washington. She began her college journey at Olympic College, where she earned her associate degree through the Running Start program, before moving to Seattle to pursue her bachelor's. She then attended the University of Washington (UW), where she attained her bachelors in Business Administration in Human Resources and Education, Communities, and Organizations. Now, as a (soon-to-be) Double Dawg, Aranya is completing her final year in the Master of Education in Leadership in Higher Education program at UW. 

Rooted in her lived experiences as a Lao American from a low-income, first-generation college student background, Aranya is driven by a deep commitment for uplifting underrepresented and underserved communities. As someone who once faced challenges navigating​ resources to succeed in college, she is determined to help others overcome the barriers to accessing higher education. She is excited to work with North Seattle College this year, helping advocate for access to higher education and working with the A&PI community.

If you have any questions or want to say hi, feel free to stop by!

Camila Yoo

Peer Mentor

Pronouns: She/Her
 

Camila Yoo is a Korean American Running Start student aiming to get an associate’s degree at North Seattle College. She is currently taking prerequisite courses with the goal of studying electrical and computer engineering when she goes to a 4-year college. Throughout her time at North Seattle College, she was able to find her community at AANAPISI and is excited to become a peer mentor! In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, reading books, and watching TV. As a peer mentor, she hopes to help foster a welcoming community by providing support and by always being there as someone you can talk to.

Daniel Le

AANAPISI Peer Mentor

Pronouns: He/Him
 

Hey, my name is Daniel, I’m a college freshman in North Seattle. I did 2 years part time here as a running start student and I’m currently working on getting all the credits needed for an associate of science degree. In my free time I love to both play and watch sports, hangout with friends, or watch some TV. I’m super excited to be a peer mentor as I’ve basically been a mentor at every one of my schools from 5th grade until now. 

Haruki Asano

AANAPISI Peer Mentor

Pronouns: He/Him
 

Haruki Asano is an international student from Vietnam. He is half Japanese and Vietnamese. He met AANAPISI when he just came to North Seattle College and felt a sense of belonging. Raingsey Tevy is his peer mentor (a great legend) who also inspires him to become a peer mentor. He is getting his associate’s degree in pre-engineering at North. Haruki is a person who enjoys sports. He is also the president of the North Seattle College badminton club. If you also like sports, please don’t hesitate to ask him out. Other than that, he likes to fish sometimes and play piano in his free time, he also loves to hang out and grab some drinks and food with everyone. As a peer mentor, he wants to connect students to the resources that they need for academic success. He’s aiming to build a community where you can freely express your concerns and share your thoughts safely. Making sure that everyone felt they belonged here.

Hyacinth Shahu

AANAPISI Peer Mentor

Pronouns: She/Her   
 

Hyacinth is a Nepalese born student at North Seattle College currently pursuing her associates degree in pre-nursing. She aims to transfer to a four-year university and complete her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Her hobbies include dancing, singing, public speaking, hearing/sharing stories etc.  
Transferring from a different state to Seattle, at first, she felt lost at NSC like every other student. As she came across AANAPISI, it became her happy place. With the help of AANAPISI, she felt a sense of belonging and found her community. Ever since then, she became a member and vouched to contribute back to the community that once became her biggest support.  
Hyacinth believes in the power of vulnerability and storytelling. She believes that every story is unique and every story matters. So, if you have anything to share, feel free and don't hesitate.