Coordinator at the Disability Cultural Community Center (DCC)
How long have you been at Berkeley?
I have been in my current staff role since April 2021, but my connection to Berkeley goes back much further, as I am also a proud Cal alum! I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology and minored in Education here, and it was as an alumn that I first learned about the advocacy efforts that led to the opening of the Disability Cultural Community Center. When I heard about the creation of the DCC, I was deeply moved and knew I wanted to be part of the history and advocacy, so I applied and came back to campus in a new capacity!
What do you love most about working here?
I am excited by the opportunities to build a community rooted in disability justice and collective joy. I get to work alongside brilliant and bold students, staff, and faculty who are passionate about shaping a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable campus. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge ableism, uplift disability identity, and co-create a culture of collective care and interdependence.
What's your job?
As the Coordinator of the Disability Cultural Community Center (DCC) at UC Berkeley, I have the privilege and pleasure of leading initiatives focused on disability justice, empowerment, and joy. I work closely with disabled students and community members every day to co-create and amplify disability community through discussions, storytelling through Beyond the Frame Film Events, Disabled Makers Market, and DCC open hours. As the inaugural DCC in the UC system, we also foster professional exchange and facilitate workshops on the impact of disability culture in higher education—centering disability as a valuable identity and culture. A proud Chinese American woman, blind professional, and first-generation college graduate, my lived experiences are at the core of my decade-long work in the disability community. I also serve on advisory bodies that address campus accessibility and disability inclusion at a systemic level, including the Chancellor's Advisory Council on Disability and Accessibility Planning (CACDAP), and am the Chair of the Staff Alliance for Disability Access (SADA)
What's a great day at work look like for you?
A great day at work is one where I get to witness authentic connections being made, whether it’s students sharing their stories in community, disabled alumns and working professionals passing along disability wisdom with students, collaborating with campus partners on meaningful programming, or making space for celebration and rest. Finding ways to shift how society sees disability, from a deficit to a culture rich with creativity, resilience, and power! It’s those moments of shared empowerment that remind me why I do this work.
Where's your favorite place on campus?
I cherish my daily walk through the campus West Gate, through the cluster of trees and woods after crossing the wooden pedestrian bridge. The sounds and smells of nature remind me to take a moment to pause, reflect, and be in the moment as I walk to and from the BART station to my office.
Fun fact about me:
I have an active toddler, so on the weekends, I am always out and about exploring local parks and playgrounds in the East Bay, especially after attending library story time!