Kat (she/her/siya) is a Pinay scholar-practitioner with ancestral roots in the Philippines and across the broader Asian and Pacific diasporas. Raised across the Pacific and throughout California, her lived experiences continue to inform her work in higher education and student-serving initiatives.
She is a UC Davis alumna with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Asian American Studies and Sociology and holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Sacramento State University. Kat is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) at the UC Davis School of Education, where her research examines how Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) contribute to institutional transformation and student success at large public research universities.
Kat directs the Strategic Asian and Pacific Islander Retention Initiative at UC Davis and chairs the campus AANAPISI Leadership Team, which provides coordination and strategic guidance for campuswide AANAPISI efforts. She also represents UC Davis on the UC AANAPISI Advisory Board. Previously, she served as a campus educator focused on community-centered learning and worked in academic advising and counseling roles supporting undergraduate student pathways. She was one of the founding chairs of the award-winning “Developing Deeper Advising Relationships” professional development module, a key part of the UC Davis Advising Certificate Series.
Beyond campus, Kat is deeply engaged in regional and national efforts to support student advancement and institutional knowledge. She collaborates with organizations such as Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE), APIs Mobilize, and Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC), and serves on the Board of Directors for OCA-Sacramento.
Kat is a proud cat mom, lifelong Sailor Moon fan, and Disney enthusiast who finds joy in crafting and collecting plants (pre-pandemic). She’s happiest near the ocean, with ice cream, and loves connecting with others over stickers, snacks, or cozy creative projects.
Region in the diasporas I identify with: Philippines, Southeast Asia, Japan