Assistant Director of the Asian American Resource Center Sunny Lee will not be returning to Pomona next year. Lee, who has worked here since 1999, has accepted a position as Assistant Director of the Cross-Cultural Center at the University of California at Irvine (UCI).

"UCI is my undergraduate alma mater, and the CCC is a Center that developed my social and political consciousness. This is an opportunity for me to give back to my campus as well as continue my professional growth," said Lee.

In her capacity as Assistant Director of AARC, Lee has coordinated programming and student services.

Students involved with AARC regret Lee’s departure. Neel Garlapati ’02, who helps to run AARC’s newsletter said, "she has a unique ability to connect with almost anyone and help people to understand their identity and reach their potential. I don’t know where I, or the rest of the AARC would be without her. She will be greatly missed, not only as an assistant director, but as a friend, confidant and all around spectacular person."

The admiration is mutual. "I’m definitely going to miss the students the most. Students I’ve had the opportunity to work with are incredibly conscientious, down to earth, engaging, and [are] so willing to learn and take risks. They’re passionate about making positive social change and working towards justice. I’ll miss the individual interactions I was able to have at such a small college," said Lee.

A new Assistant Director for AARC has not yet been found, but there is a search committee in place. The committee will be bringing candidates to campus starting next week.

Asked what she won’t miss about Pomona, Lee said "I definitely won’t miss the smog of the Inland Empire!"

"I don’t think there is anyone who has met Sunny and not liked her immediately," said Garlapati. "But behind her sweet exterior lies a person who is deeply passionate about working towards the empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community and all people of color on campus and beyond."