Skip to content

Meet the APIRC Staff

Meet our Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 Staff!

The Asian and Pacific Islander Resource Center is comprised of student staff, also known as the Scholar Coordinators. The student staff manage the cultural space, organize events and programs that are inclusive of the API communities, and serve as the primary point of contact to all the resource center needs. 


Scholar Coordinators

 Darius Thrower

Darius Thrower (He/Him/His)

APIRC Scholar Coordinator 

Hey everybody, My name is Darius (He/Him), I'm a second year Environmental Engineering Major from Pittsburg, CA.  I'm very excited to do whatever I can to help UC Merced showcase the beauty of the Asian & Pacific Islander cultures and also foster a warm second home for you all. I can't wait to learn, collaborate, and build relationships with you guys throughout my journey in the SJIIP!

Janelle Perez

Janelle Perez (She/Her/Hers)

APIRC Scholar Coordinator

Janelle (she/her) is a 4th year undergraduate student majoring in Cognitive Science. Janelle is currently involved on-campus as the President of the Cognitive Science Student Association (CSSA) and EvoLab. She primarily spends her time in community spaces off-campus as a community organizer for the Pilipinx community.

Ling Baltodano

Ling Baltodano (She/Her/Hers)

APIRC Scholar Coordinator

Hi everyone, my name is Ling (she/her) and I'm a second-year Cognitive Science major! I'm passionate about creativity as an artist/designer and I hope that I can share that with the SJIIP. I look forward to creating a safe, educational, and welcoming space for everyone in the APIRC!