David Chih
Senior Director
he/him/his
Dr. David Chih is the founding director of the Asian American Cultural Center which opened in 2005. For over 35 years, David has focused on issues of diversity and inclusion in higher education with particular emphasis on Asian American and international student communities. Since coming to U of I in 1998, he has served as assistant dean of students for Asian Pacific American Affairs, clinical counselor in the Counseling Center, and interim associate vice chancellor for student affairs for inclusion and intercultural relations. He teaches Asian Families in America in the School of Social Work and AACC Internship through LAS Global Studies. He received a PhD in counseling psychology and a BA in East Asian studies and psychology from Indiana University, an MS in psychology from Purdue University, and completed a doctoral internship in psychology at Michigan State University Counseling Center. David is a second-generation Chinese American born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana.
Flordemia dela Vega Conrad
Office Manager
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Flordemia joined the University of Illinois in 2007 and Student Affairs in 2009. Her journey began with La Casa Cultural Latina, followed by the Native American House, and the Diversity and Social Justice Education Initiatives, before joining the Asian American Cultural Center in 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Philippines. What she finds most rewarding about her work is learning about the cultures and backgrounds of the students and staff she collaborates with daily. A first-generation Filipino American who immigrated to the US in 2003, Flordemia brings a solid understanding of the multicultural experience to her role. Outside of work, she treasures time spent with family and friends, along with her beloved dog. Her personal interests include listening to a wide variety of music, traveling, food tasting, cooking, and gardening.
Amy Kyung-Eun Breslin
Associate Director
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Amy has facilitated capacity building initiatives for over a decade through fostering strategic partnerships with community stakeholders and advocating for systems change through community-led solutions. As a library practitioner, Amy's work focused on literacy justice and intergenerational, multicultural solidarity building. Amy has served in multiple leadership roles for the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), OPAWL: Building AAPI Feminist Leadership and was OPAWL's representative to Grassroots Asians Rising annual convening. She was named a Mover and Shaker - Educator by Library Journal and received a JCLC Advocacy Award from APALA. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Amy was adopted to and raised in Cleveland, OH. Amy received her Master of Library and Information Science from Kent State University and a BS in Biology from Ashland University. When not working, Amy loves spending time outdoors with her family and friends.
Will Yepsen
Program Coordinator
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Will attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated with a BA in Political Science and Asian American Studies. Will is a Korean adoptee and has lived in Central Illinois for the majority of his life. While not working, Will enjoys video games, cooking, reading, and trying new restaurants on campus. Will looks forward to working to better the Asian and Asian American student experience on campus.