Our Team

Team Joya is made up of individuals from diverse professional backgrounds and experiences who have shaped and embrace Joya’s mission of empowering students from low-income families through education, mentoring, and partnership.

Board of Directors

Kevin Doi (JOYA Scholars Co-Founder) - Founding Pastor
Epic Church, Fullerton
B.S. Business Administration, CSU Los Angeles; M Div., Fuller Theological Seminary

Rebecca Hong - Professor
BIOLA University, La Mirada
B.A. Economics, UC San Diego; M.A. Education, BIOLA University; Ed.D, USC

Carey Jeu (JOYA Scholars Co-Founder) - Program Business Manager
The Boeing Company, El Segundo
B.A. Economics, UCLA; M.B.A., CSU Los Angeles

Mary Nguyen - Children's Social Worker
Los Angeles County - Department of Children and Families Services (DCFS), East Los Angeles
B.S. Human Services, CSU Fullerton; M.S.W., CSU Long Beach

Brian Prince - Art Director and Gallery Owner
Primate Design/PÄS Gallery, Fullerton
B.A. Communications/Minor in Art, CSU Fullerton

Program Director

Bianca Pena, JOYA Scholars
B.A. Sociology, UC Santa Cruz

Mentor Coordinator

Emily Cross, JOYA Scholars
B.A. Sociology, BIOLA University  

Advisory Team

Laura Carvelli - Counselor
El Dorado High School, Placentia
B.S. Psychology, CSU Fullerton; M.S. Clinical Psychology & M.S. Educational Leadership, CSU Fullerton;
MFT (Marriage and Family Therapist) License, PPS (Pupil Personnel Services) Credential

Jeremy Chong - Middle School Teacher
El Cerrito Middle School, Corona
B.S. Business Administration, USC; Currently in Master's Program (Education), University of Texas

Helen Chung - Lead Counselor
Kennedy High School, La Palma
Licensed Clinical Social Worker; B.A. English Literature, UCLA; M.S.W., CSU Long Beach

Long Hua - Social Science Teacher
Carmenita Middle School, Cerritos
B.A. Political Science, B.A. History, UC Irvine

Brice Hunt - Mathematics Teacher
Buena Park High School, Buena Park
B.S. Mechanical Engineering (Magna cum Laude), UCLA; M.S. Mechanical Engineering, UCLA

Mike Itagaki - Adjunct Faculty Instructor
CSU Fullerton, Fullerton College, Azusa Pacific University
B.A. Social Science, UC Irvine; MA Sociology, CSU Fullerton

Greg Nakata - High School Teacher
Glendora High School, Glendora
B.A. English and Economics, UC Berkeley; MAT in Education:  Teaching of Reading, Brown University

Karen Yonemoto - Professor
Claremont McKenna College, Claremont
B.A. Sociology, University of California, Irvine; M.A./Ph.D American Studies & Ethnicity, USC

Accountant

Winston Woo - Financial Analyst
Nobel Biocare, Yorba Linda
B.S. Business Administration - Finance, UC Riverside