The search committee for finding a new assistant director of the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) will be announcing its selection soon. Alyson De La Cruz, the current assistant director, will be leaving at the end of this year.

Alyson De La Cruz came to Pomona’s AARC in August of 1996. Fresh from graduating from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, De La Cruz came to the AARC by chance when a friend saw the opening and informed De La Cruz.

Since that time De La Cruz has become highly respected and well-liked, garnishing praise from virtually all the students she comes in contact with. Says AARC director Daren Mooko, "She has offered insights and perspectives that very few can bring."

Over the past years De La Cruz has been highly involved in programming for the AARC and advising students who wish organize programs. Further, De La Cruz has been involved with the Asian- Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month, the API Arts Initiative, and is the office manager for the AARC.

De La Cruz, a poet and playwright in her own respect, will be spending her time working on various works. She expects to spend the next 6 months finishing "Sun Gka," a one-woman play based on a Filipino board game of the same name. "Hopefully," De La Cruz says, "I can take this play on tour and get some of my work published."

Since beginning her work at Pomona, De La Cruz has discovered and cultivated her writing abilities. Though she used to be focused on getting a PhD in Media Studies, De La Cruz says she found that "instead of complaining, I could provide what I wanted to see." De La Cruz says that she hopes through this "proactive" behavior she will be able to bring to light many of the issues facing the Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

One issue in particular that De La Cruz wishes to expose is police brutality. De La Cruz hopes that soon she will showcase an art installation of Asian and Pacific Islander hate crimes.

Says Mooko, "Over the years Alyson has proven to be one of the most stable aspects of the AARC." Mooko has been the chair of the search committee to find De La Cruz’s replacement since its inception in December.

"When the announcement of the job opening was first posted the [initial] reaction exceeded my expectations." Forty-five people submitted applications for the newly open position. After conducting telephone interviews, the number of candidates was narrowed down to nine. After more interviews, this count was reduced to just four candidates among which the search committee is currently deliberating.

Because of the AARC’s desire to have student input into the decision making process the search committee has decided to announce the new assistant director before finals week. Mooko says that the process will be difficult because of the "exceptionally strong candidate pool." Mooko hopes that the selection will be announced today or Monday.

The committee searching for De La Cruz’s replacement is composed of seven members. Mooko has served as the chair. Angela Crisp-Sears from the Campus Center, Professor of History Sam Yamashita, and four students are all integral to the decision making process. Additionally, De La Cruz has served as an advisor to the committee.

The search committee did not publicize the position until February. The group met with faculty, staff, and students to gather input to allow them to hire someone who would best fit all of the community’s demands.

Celeste Chu ’00, an AARC intern, says that De La Cruz has been "A vital force for the AARC. She’s been like a second mother to many of us. I don’t know AARC without her." Karey Leung ’99 says, "She’s been a great asset to AARC and she’s done some terrific programming." Mooko commented, "Students should consider themselves lucky to know [Alyson]."