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!

Rhandell Balboa Saya, MEd

AANAPISI Graduate Intern

Pronouns: He, Him, His

Rhandell Balboa Saya is a Filipino American graduate student in the University of Washington’s College of Education studying Leadership in Higher Education. He grew up his entire life in Federal Way, Washington but recently moved to Seattle 3 years ago. In his freetime, he enjoys watching Anime, playing volleyball and tennis, cooking it up in the kitchen, and occasionally playing cello. His academic journey ventured him first to Western Washington University, then to Highline College, and then at the University of Washington: Seattle campus where he earned two BA’s in Education, Communities, and Organizations and American Ethnic Studies (Asian American Studies) with a minor in Diversity.        

During his undergraduate years, Rhandell worked various positions. To name a few, he was a College and Career Readiness Assistant for Federal Way High School, a peer advisor for the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, and as an orientation leader for the University of Washington. He also transferred from Highline College to the University of Washington. So, if you have any questions about college and university, please feel free to visit and ask!        

Throughout Rhandell’s life, he has encountered and seen the struggles that the A&PI community as well as other communities of color has faced within not just education, but in society as a whole. With this in mind, he hopes to create an environment for empowerment, unity, and history to thrive in these spaces. 

Bush Phan 

AANAPISI Peer Mentor

Pronouns: He/Him/His           
Major: Business

Hello, my name is Bush, and this is my second year at North Seattle College! The major that I am currently studying for is Associate in Business. I am originally from Vietnam meaning that I am an international student. I have a pet dog (I do not know the breed) but for me she is extremely cute and what I enjoy doing in my free time is play games as a form of entertainment.

Niruta Bhandari

AANAPISI Peer Mentor

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers   
Major: Nursing   
Niruta Bhandari is a student at North Seattle College currently taking pre-requisite course for Nursing. She was born in Nepal and is fun-loving person. Her hobbies is to play sports such as: Basketball, Ping Pong etc. She is always open to help fellow mentees connect with different resources on-campus. She aims to be a positive influence and a source of motivation for her peers. As a peer mentor, she will guide , share her experiences, and support students in overcoming obstacles and reaching their full potential." 

Raingsey Tevy

AANAPISI Peer Mentor

Pronouns: He/Him/His   
Major: Pre-Engineering

Raingsey Tevy is an international student from Cambodia studying to earn his Washington State High School diploma and associate's degree in pre-engineering. He plans to attend the University of Washington, Seattle, in fall 2025, majoring in computer engineering. In his free time, he enjoys playing a variety of video games. He also likes to play the bass and electric guitar and go on walks in his neighborhood. In the role of peer mentor, Rain is passionate about supporting AANAPI students through their time here at North Seattle College by providing aid, directions, or just a safe space for them to relax. 

Sumnima Rai

AANAPISI Peer Mentor

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers   
Major: Associate of Science

Sumnima is an international student from Nepal at North Seattle college currently studying to get her degree in associate of science and interested to learn more about community and health programs. She is a fun-loving person who enjoys exploring new places, hiking, doing yoga, going on walks, singing, and absolutely loves cooking Nepali foods and experiment new recipes too. Being a peer mentor for her is both a responsibility and a great opportunity to help her peers flourish and she is looking forward to connecting her mentees with all the resources on campus they need throughout the whole academic year. She hopes to create a safe space for her peers where they can freely share their concerns, get genuine guidance and she is really excited to organize different fun events and workshops too.