Intercultural Services (IS) department provides support to students who have traditionally been underserved and promotes educational equity and academic achievement for all students. We oversee the Simpson Intercultural Center, which aims to increase access to resources and provide a safe place to connect by co-creating a culture of inclusion, dignity, and respect.

The vision of Intercultural Services is that every member of the Whatcom Community College family will feel seen, heard, and valued.

Meet the Intercultural Services Team

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Name: Tanya Zaragoza-Rosas
Pronouns: She/Her 
Year at WCC: 9th Year
Major(s)/Minor(s): Education and Business Marketing
Where is home for you: Sedro-Woolley, Los Angeles, Mexico, Wherever my family is 
Favorite class at WCC: Zumba
Involvement at WCC Campus: LSU and BSU Advisor, Orca Athletics Fan 
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, reading, listening to music, zumba, watching scary movies, eating ice-cream, fitness, and spending time with loved ones.
WCC Email: tzaragoza@whatcom.edu

Name: Yusuke Okazaki 
Pronouns: He/Him 
Years at WCC: 10th Year
Major(s)/Minor(s): Asian Studies & History 
Where is home for you: Yokohama, Japan
Favorite class at WCC: History of Medieval Europe 
Involvement at WCC Campus: The Equity Project, People of Color Collective, Undocumented Students Task Force, Social Justice Committee, Parenting Pod 
Hobbies/Interests: Skateboarding, hiking, reading history books, watching baseball, soccer, and basketball, spending time with family
Email: yokazaki@whatcom.edu 

Intercultural Center Peer Navigators

Name: Karen A. Ponce-Gonzalez
Pronouns: She/They
Year at WCC: 3rd year
Major(s)/Minor(s): Chemistry
Where is home for you: Vancouver, WA
Favorite class at WCC: BIOL&222
Former Involvement at WCC Campus as a student: Member of Latine Student Union, Member of Students of Color in STEM, Volleyball Club
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family and friends, outdoorsy activities, new experiences, and music
WCC Email: KPonceGonzalez@whatcom.edu

Name: Brandon Dominguez Nolasco
Pronouns: He/Him
Year at WCC: 2nd Year
Major(s)/Minor(s): Associate in Business
Where is home for you: Ferndale, WA
Favorite class at WCC: ENGL202
Involvement at WCC Campus: Latine Student Union, Badminton Club
Hobbies/Interests: Making music, detailing cars, eating food or trying new restaurants, working out, hiking
Email: BDominguezNolasco@whatcom.edu

Name: Faith Gabrielle (Faith) Silan
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Year at WCC: 1st Year 
Major(s)/Minor(s): Undecided
Where is home for you: Bellingham and wherever my friends and family are
Favorite class at WCC: ENGL&101
Involvement at WCC Campus: IC Peer Navigator, Member of Pride Student Union
Hobbies/Interests: Crochet, music, listening to Kpop, fashion, and astrology 
WCC Email: FSilan@whatcom.edu

Name: Robertha Sitorus
Pronouns: She/Her
Year at WCC: 2nd year
Major(s)/Minor(s): Bioengineering/Associate's in Chemistry
Where is home for you: Jakarta, Indonesia
Favorite class at WCC: CHEM162
Involvement at WCC Campus: Asian Student Union, Indonesian Club
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, spending time with friends & family, drinking tea, meeting new people, and going out to try new things!
WCC Email: RSitorus@whatcom.edu

Name: Cristal Cazares
Pronouns: She/They
Year at WCC: 2nd Year
Major(s)/Minor(s): Biology
Where is home for you: Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, and Mexico 
Favorite class at WCC: BIOL&221
Involvement at WCC Campus: Students of Color in STEM, Member of Latine Student Union
Hobbies/Interests: Drawing, crocheting, listening to/playing music, quality time with friends and family and learning new things. 
WCC Email: ccazares@whatcom.edu

Name: River Carter
Pronouns: Any
Year at WCC: 2nd year 
Major(s)/Minor(s): Associates in Arts & Sciences
Where is home for you:
Favorite class at WCC:
Involvement at WCC Campus:  ICPN, NISU founder
Hobbies/Interest: 
WCC Email: rcarter1@whatcom.edu

Name: Simone Lavelle
Pronouns: She/Her
Year at WCC: 2nd Year
Major(s)/Minor(s): Medical Assisting
Where is home for you:
Favorite class at WCC: 
Involvement at WCC Campus: IC Peer Navigator, Students of Color in Stem Club, Latine Student Union 
Hobbies/Interests:
WCC Email: slavelle@whatcom.edu

Name: Vi Kim
Pronouns: She/Her
Year at WCC: 2nd Year
Major(s)/Minor(s): Business
Where is home for you: Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam
Favorite class at WCC: Political Science 
Involvement at WCC Campus: IC Peer Navigator
Hobbies/Interests: Playing Piano, Hanging out with friends, and Doing puzzels
Email: vkim@whatcom.edu