The Board

Derek Song (he/him) is a junior in Pierson College from Hinsdale, Illinois. He is excited to return to Bridges ESL for his third year, this time as a tutor and co-president! In his free time, he enjoys playing viola, longboarding, and taking care of plants.

President: Derek Song

 Derek Song (he/him) is a junior in Pierson College from Hinsdale, Illinois. He is excited to return to Bridges ESL for his third year, this time as a tutor and co-president! In his free time, he enjoys playing viola, longboarding, and taking care of plants.

Melina Joseph is a senior in Branford College studying comparative literature and psychology. Originally from Connecticut, she has been a part of Bridges ESL since her first year. In her free time, Melina enjoys hiking, gardening, and doing hand embroidery. She's looking forward to leading Bridges with Derek this year!

President: Melina Joseph

 Melina Joseph is a senior in Branford College studying comparative literature and psychology. Originally from Connecticut, she has been a part of Bridges ESL since her first year. In her free time, Melina enjoys hiking, gardening, and doing hand embroidery. She’s looking forward to leading Bridges with Derek this year!

Hi Bridges ESL! My name is Ignacio (he/him) and I am a junior in Ezra Stiles (gfm!), excited to serve on the Bridges ESL board once again this year as your secretary. Home for me is in Virginia, and although Yale has also felt like home the past two years, I grew up enjoying to hike and explore delicious food wherever I am. Being a neuroscience major keeps me busy, but I have enjoyed tutoring and serving on the Bridges ESL board since my freshman year. I have loved seeing the progress and passion for learning from students, in addition to the immense support systems cultivated by Yale’s community. I am so excited to see new and returning tutors help welcome students to our family.

Secretary: Ignacio Ruiz-Sanchez

 Hi Bridges ESL! My name is Ignacio (he/him) and I am a junior in Ezra Stiles (gfm!), excited to serve on the Bridges ESL board once again this year as your secretary. Home for me is in Virginia, and although Yale has also felt like home the past two years, I grew up enjoying to hike and explore delicious food wherever I am. Being a neuroscience major keeps me busy, but I have enjoyed tutoring and serving on the Bridges ESL board since my freshman year. I have loved seeing the progress and passion for learning from students, in addition to the immense support systems cultivated by Yale’s community. I am so excited to see new and returning tutors help welcome students to our family.

Denise Peng (she/her) is from Queens, New York and a MCDB major in Ezra Stiles college. She has been working with Bridges since her freshman year and is excited for her role as treasurer this coming year. Outside of Bridges, Denise works on the YFAM eboard and is also looking forward to serving as an Academic Strategies mentor. She is super excited to meet everyone, don’t hesitate to reach out :)

Treasurer: Denise Peng

 Denise Peng (she/her) is from Queens, New York and a MCDB major in Ezra Stiles college. She has been working with Bridges since her freshman year and is excited for her role as treasurer this coming year. Outside of Bridges, Denise works on the YFAM eboard and is also looking forward to serving as an Academic Strategies mentor. She is super excited to meet everyone, don’t hesitate to reach out :)

Rosa (she/her) is a junior in Pierson college majoring in Political Science and Latin American Studies. She hails from Chattanooga, TN with roots in Guatemala. During the school year, you can find Rosa volunteering at Dwight Hall, in the MEChA room with her fellow members, or taking LONG walks around campus. She is a lover of tropical fruits, magical realism, and funky jewelry.

Director of Pairing: Rosa Anderson Barrera

 Rosa (she/her) is a junior in Pierson college majoring in Political Science and Latin American Studies. She hails from Chattanooga, TN with roots in Guatemala. During the school year, you can find Rosa volunteering at Dwight Hall, in the MEChA room with her fellow members, or taking LONG walks around campus. She is a lover of tropical fruits, magical realism, and funky jewelry.

I am a second-year student at Branford College potentially majoring in neuroscience, and I'm from the suburbs of Reading, Pennsylvania, where (fun fact) Taylor Swift grew up. Since joining Bridges ESL this past year, I've listened to my students tell me stories about their cultures and home countries, beaming in pride. These stories have inspired me to want to reconnect with elements of my cultural heritage through relearning Mandarin. Outside of academics, I am currently learning how to crochet.

Director of Publicity: Yuanyu Chen

 I am a second-year student at Branford College potentially majoring in neuroscience, and I’m from the suburbs of Reading, Pennsylvania, where (fun fact) Taylor Swift grew up. Since joining Bridges ESL this past year, I’ve listened to my students tell me stories about their cultures and home countries, beaming in pride. These stories have inspired me to want to reconnect with elements of my cultural heritage through relearning Mandarin. Outside of academics, I am currently learning how to crochet.

Hi! My name is Brian Moore, and I’m from Chicago, IL. As a first-gen student with a mother from Mexico, I grew up seeing firsthand the struggles immigrants face with the language barrier. As the Director of Recruitment, I hope to help alleviate some of those struggles by enthusiastically spreading the word about Bridges ESL’s wonderful program!

Director of Recruitment: Brian Moore

 Hi! My name is Brian Moore, and I’m from Chicago, IL. As a first-gen student with a mother from Mexico, I grew up seeing firsthand the struggles immigrants face with the language barrier. As the Director of Recruitment, I hope to help alleviate some of those struggles by enthusiastically spreading the word about Bridges ESL’s wonderful program!

 

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The Bridges ESL Board is the governing body of the organization. Its goal is to implement improvements and to provide ongoing support for tutors and students. Contact us at bridgesesl@gmail.com.

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PAST LEADERSHIP

2023-2024 Board

Co-Presidents: Derek Song and Melina Joseph
Treasurer: Denise Peng
Secretary: Ignacio Ruiz-Sanchez
Director of Recruitment: Brian Moore
Director of Pairing: Rosa Anderson Barrera
Director of Publicity: Yuanyu Chen

Director of Education: Selin Nalbantoglu

2022-2023 Board

Co-Presidents: Gina Coque and Isabelle Stemerman
Treasurer: Melina Joseph
Secretary: Derek Song
Director of Recruitment: Michaela Bauman
Director of Pairing: Ignacio Ruiz-Sanchez
Director of Publicity: Denise Peng
Bridges ESL Historian: Janic Aguirre

2021-2022 Board

Co-Presidents: Charlie Mayock-Bradley and Emma Lewer
Treasurer: Isabelle Stemerman
Secretary: Julia Arancio
Director of Pairing: Melina Joseph
Director of Education: Gina Coque
Director of Publicity: Michaela Bauman

2020-2021 Board

Co-Presidents: Johnny Gross and Jacy Scott
Treasurer: Paulina Wells
Secretary: Carmen Ozonas Mascaró
Director of Recruitment: Charlie Mayock-Bradley
Director of Pairing: Emma Lewer
Director of Education: Macrina Wang
Director of Publicity: Julia Arancio