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What is the OGA Fellows Program?
The Office of Global Affairs is proud to offer UW Tacoma students the opportunity to serve in student leadership positions in our office. Office of Global Affairs Fellows are UW Tacoma students whose mission is to promote global learning opportunities on campus. OGA Fellows help plan, promote, and implement events and assist with international student services, supporting study abroad programs, student fellowship, and award promotion. To successfully carry out these tasks, it is essential to have in-depth and experiential knowledge of study abroad, student fellowship processes, and international student transitions. If you have questions, they have answers!
OGA Fellows
Milla Tirona
arrow_drop_down_circleMilla Tirona
Title: OGA Fellow
Email: mldlc@uw.edu
Expected Graduation: Summer 2025
Hello! My name is Milla Tirona, and I am currently a junior at UWT. I am a Psychology major and also double minoring in Asian Studies and Social Science Research Methods. Choosing psychology as my major came out of a place of compassion for others as well as compassion for myself; I want to help others understand themselves and practice compassion towards themselves as I am constantly learning and trying to do.
I love to do many things in my free time! I love to do art, and though I don't do it as seriously as before, you can find me doodling in a notebook most of the time. I also enjoy film photography, and I would take as many photos as I wanted if I could afford the crazy prices of film 😔. Other than that, I enjoy collecting antiques or just visiting antique stores. For things I like to watch, I prefer documentaries and true-crime stuff. I watch Kdramas from time to time, but I always end up rewatching my comfort show Cheese in the Trap.
I've studied abroad through UW Tacoma in Summer 2022 in the “Prague – The Psychology of Culture, Food, and Human Development” program. I had many worries and anxieties both during the application process and abroad. It was all worth it though; it was a life-changing experience that I want others to experience, and that's why I joined the Office of Global Affairs! I want to help students who want to study abroad and let them experience their own study abroad adventure 😆!
I'm also studying abroad through UW Seattle in Summer 2024 in the CIEE Summer Accelerated Chinese Language in Taipei, Taiwan program. It was a unique experience to apply to study abroad through another UW campus, but I am glad to have more experience so I can better advise students who want to study abroad through other UW campuses. I'm very excited to do this study abroad as I get the chance to improve my Chinese skills in a Chinese speaking country! I also wanted to focus on traditional Chinese characters, and I get the chance to do so in Taiwan. I'm very nervous, but I'm looking forward to what I may learn and experience!
Studying abroad has allowed me to have experiences where I grew and learned to understand both myself as well as others; whether that be my peers and program directors or the local culture and its people, I learned so much about my identity and myself, what it means to exist alongside others, and how to connect and understand each other. In the hopes that I can encourage other students to take the leap to study abroad, I share my own study abroad experiences. I am looking forward to meeting and connecting with everyone 😄!
Elaiza Ginez
arrow_drop_down_circleElaiza Ginez
Title: OGA Fellow
Email: eginez7@uw.edu
Expected Graduation: Autumn 2024
Kumusta (Hello)! My name is Elaiza Ginez. I am a Filipino American going into my junior year at UWT. As my culture has been a great influence towards building my personality. I feel honored to have learned about various cultures around the world and how they connect with people. This is why I am so excited to connect with you! Everyone comes from unique and different cultural backgrounds, so I hope you’re willing to share with us!
To share a little bit about myself, I am pursuing a major psychology and minoring in criminal justice. My passion for wanting to understand and help people bought me into psychology. And my interest in criminal justice followed as I desired to find different ways to support others. In my downtime, I enjoy relaxing with my dog, watching movies/ shows, and painting landscapes. Other than that, I love traveling or discovering new places near me. As of right now, I have traveled domestically and to Asia (such as the Philippines, Japan, and Korea) so I hope to explore Europe someday. If you have any suggestions on places to visit, I would love to hear them!
Furthermore, my goal as an OGA Fellow is for everyone to have an opportunity to experience various cultures. Whether that could be through our amazing study abroad or through our fantastic Global Ambassadors program. As well for domestic and international students to connect with each other on campus. Perhaps, the person you’ll meet will have amazing stories! So I look forward to all of you joining us and creating fun memories together. Please come and say hi or if you have anything you want to know, feel free to reach out!
Lexy Luna
arrow_drop_down_circleLexy Luna
Title: OGA Fellow
Email: lexluna@uw.edu
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Hello friends! My name is Lexy Luna, but I often use my last name. I grew up and currently reside in Shelton, Washington. It’s a small town roughly an hour away from Tacoma. My family has Norwegian and German roots. While I am a domestic student, I also had the opportunity to study abroad in India, Spain, and Czechia. I am familiar with some of the anxieties and experiences of studying in a new country.
I am a psychology and biomedical sciences double major. I plan to be an emergency room physician and help patients in the near future. Currently, I work as an Emergency Medical Technician, and I’m an active volunteer at the Youth Connection. I am also President of the Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) club. I am constantly working on developing a community at UWT. I want students to feel connected to the community and to each other. I am developing these skills so I can be a community leader as a physician and make valuable connections with my patients. In my spare time, I love to paint, read, play video games, travel, watch anime, and learn.
Please feel free to contact me by email (lexluna@uw,edu) or Instagram (@lluna_girl or @uwtiss) if you need help with anything or need someone to talk to. I am here to support you on your journey through life.
Ethan Li
arrow_drop_down_circleEthan Li
Title: OGA Fellow
Email: ethanli@uw.edu
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
嗨 (Hi, huskies!) My name is Zhizhen Li, feel free to call me Ethan! I am currently a senior student at UW Tacoma, transferred from Tacoma Community College. My major is Healthcare Leadership, also participating in the Global Honor Program, with a minor in Global Engagement. I am a former International student from China, Qingdao—Yes! a city famous for its Tsingtao beer, and I have moved to Tacoma for 7 years! My interest in the Healthcare field was inspired by my grandmother who is a nurse. I plan to get my Master's degree in Healthcare Administration at UW Seattle, and work in UW Medicine!
I am a super sports fan. My favorite team is Bayern Munich, Mia San Mia! In my free time, I like to play and watch sports like soccer, basketball, badminton…so and so on. Although I’m not a very outstanding player in every one of these (I guess :), so you might see me in the gym a lot, feel free to say Hi!
Looking back on when I first came to Tacoma as an international student, some of the academic and life challenges undoubtedly left a deep impression on me. I completely understand the loneliness you feel when you are away from your family and familiar surroundings. But don’t worry, remember, The Office of Global Affairs, your advisors, and student fellows are always here to help you! My goal as a student fellow is to help international students make their study abroad experience in Tacoma more meaningful and colorful. I am so excited to be part of the OGA family, and can’t wait to bring more new fun stuff to you all!
Dear international students folks, if you have any questions or suggestions about your life at UW Tacoma, please feel free to talk to me. I will be really happy to hear from you and share my experience!
Former OGA Fellows
- Jessica Sellers, Global Affairs Fellow [2022-2024]
- Niaz Ahamed, Global Affairs Fellow [2022-2024]
- Melanie Jacob-Castillo, Global Affairs Fellow [2023]
- Angel Reddy, Senior Global Affairs Fellow [2020-2023]
- Rocky Mamea, Global Ambassadors Coordinator [2022-2023]
- Angel Reddy, Global Affairs Fellow [2020-2023]
- Yuna Wada, Japanese Language Facilitator [2020-2022]
- Maryam Al Darraji, Arabic Language Facilitator [2020-2022]
- Samyak Jain, Global Affairs Fellow [2021-2022]
- Samuel Halim, Global Affairs Fellow [2021-2022]
- Orie Kimura, Global Ambassador's Coordinator [2021-2022]
- Angel Reddy, Global Affairs Fellow [2020-2023]
- Maryam Al Darraji, Arabic Language Facilitator [2020-2022]
- Yuna Wada, Japanese Language Facilitator [2020-2022]
- Jordan Monroe, Global Ambassadors Coordinator [2020-2021]
- Ping Luarn, Global Affairs Fellow [2020-2021]
- Carly L. Norton, Global Affairs Fellow [2020-2021]
- Chen-Wei "Wayne" Hu, Global Affairs Fellow [2020-2021]
- Zaira Rojas, Global Ambassador's Coordinator [2019-2020]
- Kuniya "Kuni" Yoshikawa, Global Affairs Fellow [2019-2020]
- Wenyan "Leah" Li, Global Affairs Fellow [2019-2020]
- Linh Dao, Global Affairs Fellow [2019-2020]
- Cierra Figaro, Global Affairs Fellow [2019-2020]
- Syndra Feng, Global Affairs Fellow [2017-2019]
- An Nguyen, Global Affairs Fellow [2018-2019]
- Misaki Seto, Global Affairs Fellow [2018-2019]
- Taylor Steedman, Global Affairs Fellows and Global Ambassador's Coordinator [2018-2019]
- Syndra Feng, Global Affairs Fellow [2017-2019]
- Alexandra Franklin, Global Affairs Fellow [2017-18]
- Autumn Diaz, Global Affairs Fellow [2017-18]
- Audrey Weber, Global Affairs Fellow [2017-18]
- Nicole Baker, Global Affairs Fellow [2016-17]
- Priyanka Polavarapu, Global Affairs Fellows[2016-17]
- Yueyang Hu, Global Affairs Fellow [2016-17]
- Najma Ali, Global Affairs Fellow [2016-17
- Karina Ramos, Global Affairs Fellow [2016-17]
- Mengmeng Liu, Study Abroad Ambassador [2014-16]
- Karin Chan, Global Ambassador [2015-16]
- Tzu-Chien "Zack" Lu, Global Ambassador [2015-16]
- Putthida Samrith, Global Ambassador [2015-16]
- Sidd Saini, Global Ambassador [2015-16]
- Luan Dang, Study Abroad Ambassador [2013-15]
- Guillermo Sandoval, Study Abroad Ambassador [2014-15]
- Mulianto Patinals, Int'l Student Assistant [2014-15]
- Mengmeng Liu, Study Abroad Ambassador [2014-16]
- Luan Dang, Study Abroad Ambassador [2013-15]
- Hunter Henderson, Study Abroad Ambassador [2013-14]
- Carmen Burger, Study Abroad Ambassador [2013-14]
- Roman Fedorak, Int'l Student Assistant [2013-14]
- Lana Tu, Int'l Student Assistant [2013-14]
- Iris Song, Int'l Student Assistant [2013-14]
- Indira Trejo, Study Abroad Ambassador [2012-13]
- David Moseley, Study Abroad Ambassador [2012-13]
- Zoe Shen, Int'l Student Assistant [2012-13]
- Tinh Quoc Doan, Int'l Student Assistant [2012-13]