The Board

Brian is from Chicago and is a Senior in Silliman majoring in humanities. Brian does everything under the sun, but his most rewarding activity besides Bridges ESL is Link New Haven, which operates a free community resource desk in New Haven Green every week. He also loves endless conversations, any sport that involves running and learning new words. Brian is doing Bridges because when his mother migrated from Mexico, she had a difficult time overcoming the language barrier. In high school, teaching his mother English sparked within him a passion for spreading the gift of literacy. He joined Bridges his first semester on campus, and he will continue being involved with the organization until his last. Tutoring for Bridges is always the highlight of his week, and he can't stop telling people about his wonderful experience!

Yuanyu is a senior in Branford college majoring in Neuroscience. Yuanyu is from Reading, PA, and is involved in Community Health Educators, neuro research, and interning at Gather Haven. In her free time, she likes learning to bake, going to supermarkets, crocheting, and sketching. The favorite part of Bridges ESL for Yuanyu has been the interactions and cultural exchanges she’s had. She loves that she can come into class and hear everyone’s wonderful stories about their strange experiences, new coffee spots, and cooking adventures.

Maryann Dang is a sophomore in Silliman studying Mathematics and English. She’s from small town Mississippi where she loves going to movies with friends and drinking slushies in the parking lot. Maryann started Bridges ESL in her first semester of freshman year, and she has continued every semester since. She loves coming up with English-learning games to play with her students and debating hot topics. Besides Bridges ESL, Maryann is also involved as the Vice President of Flyte Tutoring and the Service Coordinator of Sunrise Cafe.

Sammie is a junior in Berkeley College majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and pursuing a certificate in Education Studies. Originally from Burke, VA, she has been involved with Bridges since her first year and is excited to serve as Treasurer this year. Having once been an English as a Second Language student in elementary school, she is passionate about supporting others on the same journey and helping them build confidence in using English for daily life, work, and beyond. Through Bridges, she has enjoyed connecting with students from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Outside of Bridges, she is a Social Services Volunteer at HAVEN Free Clinic, Co-Chair for Yale Model United Nations, and an Undergraduate Researcher at the Yale School of Medicine.

Gaby is a sophomore in Benjamin Franklin College majoring in Economics. Originally from Queens, New York, and coming from Ecuadorian immigrants, she understands firsthand the importance of accessible education for immigrant communities. This background and her passion for teaching led her to join Bridges during her first year at Yale. At Bridges, she has found a welcoming community centered on cultural exchange and mutual learning. Now serving as Co-Director of Recruitment, Gaby is eager to continue expanding opportunities for local New Haven residents. Beyond Bridges, she is involved in several finance organizations on campus, serves as treasurer of the Ecuadorian Student Association, and enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring new corners of campus in her free time.

MacKenzie Altuzar is a junior in Ezra Stiles majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology with plans to attend medical school after graduation. MacKenzie is from Omaha, Nebraska and considers herself a proud midwesterner. She joined Bridges during her freshman year and has continually sought out new ways to support the immigrant community in New Haven, inspired in part by her father’s stories about his own experiences as a young immigrant. In addition to Bridges, she is also a part of the Yale Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (YSACNAS) chapter on campus, hoping to foster and advocate for more diversity within the sciences. When she’s not studying or tutoring, you can find her watching films or dancing with the Yale Ballroom Dance team and Yale Ballet Folklorico.

Samantha Warfel is a junior at Yale, originally from a small town in northern Baltimore County, Maryland called Hereford. At Yale, she is studying Political Science with an Interdisciplinary Concentration in International Relations. She began tutoring with Bridges as a first-year student and has loved growing with the organization over the years. Her favorite part about the organization is its commitment to fostering community, and the unique opportunity it provides for tutors and students to build sincere relationships. This year, she is serving as a Co-Director of Education for Bridges. On campus, Samantha has been a Researcher with the Yale Foreign Policy Initiative and has worked with Dwight Hall as a Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Assistant. Beyond these roles, she has been involved with the Women’s Leadership Initiative, Yale Model United Nations 50, and research with Oxford University’s Violent Extremism Lab. This past summer, she served as a U.S. Senate Intern on Senator Van Hollen’s National Security team, working on strategic communications and crisis mitigation. In her free time, Samantha enjoys going on long walks around campus with friends, trying new yoga classes, and playing NYT games.

Jaime is a junior in Morse majoring in chemical engineering. Jaime is an international student from Bundang, South Korea. Besides Bridges ESL, Jaime is involved in doing research in the Turner Lab and the Winter Lab, Pitches and Tones A Capella (yayy pitches!!) and is the co-president of the Yale International Korean Club, Hanppuri. Jaime also works in the Marx Library and ULAs for Physics 188. In her free time, Jaime likes to sing, cook, and rewatch Harry Potter. Being an international student from Korea, she also learned English as a second language. She wants to give back by helping fellow English learners because she knows how hard it is to move to a new country and start speaking in a language that you have never used in daily life before. She cherishes being able to forge unique friendships with people from all over the world through Bridges ESL.

Hailing from New Hampshire, Tiffany is a junior double majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Psychology in Silliman College. Growing up with immigrant parents, she experienced firsthand the challenges of learning English and, as such, appreciates the work Bridges does to support immigrants in New Haven. Through Bridges, she has had the opportunity to meet individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, something she considers a beautiful aspect of the organization. In addition to her involvement with Bridges, Tiffany is active in several service clubs on campus, including HAPPY, the Red Cross Club, and the Community Health Care Van. She also conducts research at the Medical School! In her free time, Tiffany enjoys engaging in arts and crafts, building Legos, and solving puzzles.

From New York City, Asuka Koda (she/her) is a junior in Davenport majoring in Mathematics and Philosophy. She was inspired to join Bridges because, as an immigrant herself, she wishes this had been a resource available to her and her parents while learning English. At Yale, she is currently taking a glassblowing class and enjoys creating pottery in her free time.

Linda (she/her) is a junior in Pierson majoring in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry (MB&B). These days, she enjoys linguistics, origami cranes, and naps. Thankfully, she is in the 10% of Asian Americans who are not lactose intolerant. Since this is her third year with Bridges, she is excited to see old faces again and meet new ones!

Sam (he/him) is a junior in Davenport majoring in Comparative Literature and pursuing a certificate in Quantum Engineering and Science. He joined Bridges his second year and immediately fell in love with the community. Understanding the importance of education, he is passionate about web development and is excited to work on the Bridges website this year. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, and dancing salsa. Outside of Bridges, Sam is the Newbie Captain of the Yale Ballroom Dance Team, involved with the Archive Committee of La Casa, and works for the Yale Publishing Press. Please feel free to ask him any questions about his favorite books, or movies!