Contact Us/Staff Info

Faculty Director of College Life & Student Judicial Affairs Conduct Officer

Email

YiBakerHyonChu@fhda.edu

Phone

408-864-8239

Biography

Dr. Hyon Chu Yi-Baker (pronounced Hyun-Joo Yee-Baker) was raised in Puyallup, Washington located about 30 miles outside of Seattle. She immigrated to the United States from Seoul, Korea at the age of 3 and became a U.S. citizen at age 12. As a proud first-generation college student and the only person to receive a doctoral degree throughout her extended family, Hyon Chu understands the value, power, and privilege that comes with getting an advanced degree.

Hyon Chu's formal educational journey began at Western Washington University where she majored in American Cultural Studies. As a college student, she was an active member of the Ethnic Student Center, Associated Students, and Student Clubs and Organizations. Some of her favorite leadership experience during her undergraduate years were when she was a Resident Advisor, Peer Mentor, and Summer Bridge Counselor which was a program that worked with underrepresented and lower socioeconomic youth. It was during her college years that she discovered her passion working with students in various capacities involving leadership, activism, and advocacy. This led her to earn a Master's degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University. After working as a practitioner for two decades, Hyon Chu returned to graduate school and obtained her Ed.D at San Jose State University in Educational Leadership.

For over 25 years, she has worked at various 4-year public institutions including UC Davis, CSU Monterey Bay, Cal Poly Pomona, and San Jose State University serving in a variety of roles. She worked as a Resident Director, academic instructor, director of a cultural center, ombudsperson, and as a program director for student success focused on transitional and retention services for marginalized populations. In addition, she has worked as a consultant leading diversity training and organizational and program reviews. De Anza College is her first community college and currently serves as the Faculty Director of College Life & Judicial Affairs Officer.

Hyon Chu is dedicated to enhancing and advocating for the academic and cultural empowerment of historically under-represented students. She is also committed to creating a learning environment where all students can thrive and reach their full potential. Her doctoral dissertation examined the civic engagement levels of Asian American community college students which informed how students participate in local and national politics. Integrating her research with her work with students at De Anza in particular the DASG Senate and ICC Clubs, Hyon Chu is passionate about developing a sense of civic leadership among the many students she is privileged to work with every day.

In her spare time, Hyon Chu loves to travel (especially long road trips), cook, nap (if she can fit one in), explore new restaurants, Broadway musicals, and most of all spending time with her family and friends. She especially adores her children and feels incredibly blessed to be their mom. Hyon Chu resides in Gilroy with her husband, two kids, and their sweet dog named Summer.

Leadership Development & Student Activities Coordinator

Email

ArreolaMaritza@fhda.edu

Phone

408-864-8692

Biography

Maritza Arreola was born and raised in a mixed-status immigrant family in Mountain View, CA. Her parents came to the United States from Mexico to provide a better life and opportunities for their family, and emphasized education as their best pathway for success. Their encouragement, paired with guidance from her older brother and AVID community, helped her navigate being in the first generation of her family to graduate high school and go to college. Today, she and her siblings all hold college degrees.

After graduating from Mountain View High School, Maritza spent a year at San Francisco State University before deciding to return home and attend Foothill College. There, she grew as a student in the Honors Institute, and as a student leader she was involved with clubs that organized the college's Women's Heritage Month and LGBTQ Heritage Month. She eventually transferred to Mills College in Oakland, earning her BA in Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies and minor degree in Ethnic Studies in 2014. During her time at Mills, she grew as a visible student leader and student affairs paraprofessional.

After years of working with a number of LGBTQ+ focused non-profit organizations, Maritza returned to the field of higher education and earned her M.Ed. in Student Affairs from UCLA in 2018. During this time, she worked with their Office of Residential Life, supporting the buildings which included the Transfer Living & Learning Community. She then spent a couple of years at Scripps College serving as the Assistant Director of their multicultural center before moving back to the Bay Area.

Maritza's dedication to student affairs stems from her mixed experiences as a student herself – she knows how difficult college can be for anyone, especially with the marginalized identities she carries such as being disabled, low-income, and queer. But she also knows what a difference that certain people and spaces can make for students in navigating college. This is further rooted in her passion for social justice – the transformation of oppression into liberation, and our ongoing transformation into agents of change. Her work has centered on social justice and leadership development through programming and advising, and she's excited to bring that work to the dynamic, passionate leaders and leaders-to-be at De Anza College

When not working, she enjoys spending time with her partner, friends, and family; baking; playing Pokémon Go; and swooning over other people's dogs.

Operations Specialist & Student Activities Coordinator

Email

ShannakianDennis@fhda.edu

Phone

408-864-8757

Biography

Dennis Shannakian was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia although is ancestry is Armenian and his parents were born in Lebanon.  He moved from Saudi Arabia to Anjar, Lebanon for a few years then moved to the US in 1985 at the age of 9.  He eventually became a US citizen and has lived here in the San Jose area for most of his life.  He attended De Anza College and obtained an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Business and Computer Information Systems.

As a college student, he became a student employee in the Office of College Life, which at the time was known as the Student Activities Office, and also worked with the DASG Senate on various projects.  In September 1999 he became a full time staff member of the Office of College Life and has been coordinating the office functions and advising the DASG Senate ever since.

Dennis believes in student empowerment and enjoys working with students.  He thinks it is always fresh and exciting with new students coming each year to learn and grow.

In his spare time, Dennis loves to read, watch TV shows and movies, listen to music, play computer/video games, try new foods and restaurants, and spend time with family and friends.  Dennis is married and resides in South San Jose.

Flea Market & Special Events Coordinator

Email

SwansonDayna@fhda.edu

Phone

408-864-8414

Biography

I graduated from Hotel & Restaurant Management from Cal Poly Pomona and have utilized my hospitality management degree and skills in every position I have held.

Events management is my passion and makes up the majority of my positions. I spent four years at the San Jose Convention & Cultural Facilities as the Catering Manager for the Convention Center, Center for Performing Arts, Montgomery Theater, the Tech Museum of Innovation and the Civic Auditorium.

Moving South to work for the beautiful City of Monterey, I was the Event Supervisor in charge of coordinating events from conferences, tradeshows, social and community functions, marathons and car auctions. I was involved in the renovation of the Monterey Conference Center from its 1977 facade to a beautiful modern facility that opened in 2018 only to be shut down for a year during the pandemic. During that time, I received my certification for the Pandemic Compliance Advisor and focused more on responsibilties involving the Conference Center's purchasing and contractual systems.

After nineteen years working for the Monterey Conference Center, I am now your Flea Market Coordinator. I am looking forward to working with the students, vendors, staff and faculty here at DeAnza College to promote and service the vendors and customers of the Flea Market.

I am a member of the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM). In 2008, I attained the designation of Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).

And for the bounce in my step, it is about family, friends, and fun. I am the first generation to live in California and was born and raised in San Jose. Without having children of my own, I am so fortunate to have a daughter and son-in-law, 2 granddaughters, 1 grandson, 1 niece and 1 nephew with so many other children who call me Auntie or their second mom. My time alone is spent with a book, a walk on the beach or a movie. My passion is traveling with friends and family, hiking, laying on a sunny beach with a book, eating popcorn at the movies, scuba diving and wine tasting. I can't pass up family time around the table talking, eating, and playing cards. I hope to conquer my fear to sky dive and parasail - maybe one day soon.

Administrative Assistant

Email

KenolyMaliah@fhda.edu

Phone

408-864-8530

Biography

Maliah Kenoly serves as the Administrative Assistant I for the Office of College Life and was born in San Jose, CA. After moving to various high schools throughout her youth, she eventually graduated and enrolled as a student at De Anza College. Her professors provided consistency, care and patience during her most challenging times and she aspires to do the same for every student that comes her way. She eventually transferred to San Jose State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and earned the opportunity to study abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand as a volunteer for Myanmar refugees. (Ask her about it!)

Her work experience involves working with Special Education elementary students and it taught her the importance of patience and observation. She absolutely LOVED it! She also spent time as a college advisor for first-generation middle school and high school students at local East Side schools.

As a first-generation college student, being the eldest of 4 siblings and coming from humble beginnings, it is her mission to lead by example, pursue her education and remind her siblings and students that it is possible to build the life that makes them the most content, fulfilled and at peace as long as they remain consistent, determined, and maintain an open heart and mind.

In her spare time, she loves doing Pilates, Cooking, Reading, exploring new coffee shops, practicing new languages and snuggling with kittens.

College Life Student Assistant

• Pronouns: He/Him/His
• Email: CollegeLife@fhda.edu
• Phone: 408-864-8756 (it is best to use email at this time)
• Major: Computer Science
• Goals at De Anza: Transfer to a 4-year institution
• I want to Transfer to: Undecided
• Hometown: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
• Hobbies: Ultimate Frisbee
• Why I joined De Anza's Office of College Life: The Flea Market! :)

College Life Student Assistant

• Pronouns: she/her/hers
• Email: CollegeLife@fhda.edu
• Phone: 408-864-8756 (it is best to use email at this time)
• Major: Business Administration for Transfer
• Goals at De Anza: I plan to obtain an Associate's Degree for Transfer in Business Administration and complete all my course requirements in order to transfer.
• I want to Transfer to: Santa Clara University or UC San Diego
• Hometown: Milpitas, California
• Hobbies: I enjoy working out, baking baked goods at home like bread and cookies, traveling to new places, and trying new adventurous experiences with friends and family.
• Why I joined De Anza's Office of College Life: I want to be able to make a difference in students' lives by supporting and enhancing their student experience at De Anza. In addition, being able to work with a diverse community of students and having the opportunities to collaborate with different colleagues and gain access to professional development is why I wanted to work in the Office of College Life.

College Life Student Assistant

• Pronouns: he/him/his
• Email: CollegeLife@fhda.edu
• Phone: 408-864-8756 (it is best to use email at this time)
• Major: Computer Science
• Goals at De Anza: Pursue my degree in Computer Science by studying hard at De Anza, and transfer to a well know university that offers a great Computer Science program.
• I want to Transfer to: Applying to UCBerkeley, UCLA, other UCs, CSUs and some privates
• Hometown: Yangon, Myanmar
• Hobbies: I enjoy listening to music, podcasts, cooking and playing basketball.
• Why I joined De Anza's Office of College Life: I joined De Anza's Office of College Life to gain valuable skills, build meaningful connections, and work alongside passionate students and student leaders to create a positive impact on our campus community. This experience will not only enrich my personal and professional development but also contribute to the overall growth and well-being of our college.

College Life Student Assistant

• Pronouns: she/her/hers
• Email: CollegeLife@fhda.edu
• Phone: 408-864-8756 (it is best to use email at this time)
• Major: Business Administration
• Goals at De Anza: My goals are to engage in campus life, continue my passion and interest, and positively contribute to the vibrant community while preparing for transfer to my next academic journey.
• I want to Transfer to: I am aiming for UCs and some other private school outside California
• Hometown: China
• Hobbies: Flute, golf, movies, event planning
• Why I joined De Anza's Office of College Life: I joined the Office of College Life because I'm truly enthusiastic about engaging with our college community and understand the significant impact it can have on students. The Office of College Life is closely connected to students and touches on various aspects of their college journey. From my past experience and my days in De Anza, I've come to realize that communication and witnessing the growth of both individuals and the entire student body and the student organization is something I wholeheartedly cherish. And I'm eager to be a part of the journey as we continue to foster a thriving and wonderful campus community.

Student Activities Specialist

La Donna Yumori-Kaku worked at De Anza College for over 39 years in the Office of College Life; she retired in June 2019. She is a first generation college student with a Master's Degree in Counseling Education from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies and a Minor in Asian American Studies from San Jose State University. She understands the De Anza experience having earned her Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies from West Los Angeles Community College.

Since High School she has been actively involved with clubs, student leadership organizations, the yearbook staff and at San Jose State University she was involved with the College Union Programming Board as the Film Coordinator, Oriocci -Asian American club, volunteering with the Asian American Studies program, and Student Coordinator of the Asian Pride Program. She has always enjoyed volunteering with student and community organizations planning events and doing fundraisers. She has her own personal experiences of being involved and having a "second family."

She enjoys working with the diverse student population with the clubs, Inter Club Council (ICC) and the De Anza Associated Student Body (DASG) student government in a non traditional job. She encourages students to participate with active campus involvement for an enriched educational experience. She helped start some events that have continued (Club Day, Club Karaoke, Fall Dance, and Spring Carnival) and other events that are no longer here in an ever changing environment. She shares her organizational skills, an open mind to ideas and a listening ear to the students she is involved with. She hopes that the students who get involved feel that De Anza is their second family too! She has many fond memories of the hundreds of the students that she has worked with and still keeps in touch with them through social media.

She has served as the Co chair of the Asian Pacific American Staff Association (APASA), a Senator for the Classified Senate, and on the California Community College Student Affairs Association (CCCSAA) as the President, Vice President, Secretary and Regional Representative 4.