Anastasiya Parvankin

2014 Hamilton Scholar | Board Chair

Anastasiya is currently an Executive Assistant in the Learning, Evaluation, and Research division at College Board. Previously, she was a Project Assistant on the Capital Markets team at Sidley Austin LLP. Anastasiya graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the George Washington University.

Born in Belarus but having spent the majority of her childhood in Oregon, Anastasiya grew up with a mom who emphasized from an early age that education is the key to success. With that foundation, she developed a passion for service, which eventually led her to AHS. Anastasiya is passionate about connecting and helping fellow first-generation and/or low-income students. AHS is a special community, and she’s grateful for the many friendships across the country that have developed from it.

Lona Nguyen

2013 Hamilton Scholar | Board Vice-Chair

Mackenzie Welch

2009 Hamilton Scholar | Member

Mackenzie Welch is a Program Officer at the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. foreign assistance agency working to reduce global poverty. Before MCC, Mackenzie worked on poverty reduction and human rights initiatives with Dalberg, the State Department, and an international impact investor. At Dalberg, she developed strategies to catalyze investment in agriculture and provide finance to small enterprises in the missing middle. At Global Partnerships, she analyzed the impact of investment projects across ten countries, spanning agriculture, renewable energy, and microfinance.

Prior to this work, Mackenzie spent as much time as possible in Latin America – promoting agricultural programs in Guatemala, working with internally displaced persons in Colombia, and advocating for indigenous clients in an environmental lawsuit in Ecuador. On the policy side, she updated the 2014 Human Trafficking Report at the State Department in Peru and spent a year researching land rights and studying Portuguese in Brazil with the Department of Defense. Mackenzie is a Truman Scholar and graduated with high honors from Swarthmore College with a B.A. in Political Science and minor in Latin American Studies.    

In her spare time, Mackenzie enjoys exploring the outdoors, scheming about side hustles, listening to reggaeton, and curling up with a good book. 

Eileen Sze Yin Ng

2009 Hamilton Scholar | Member

Eileen's work at Calvert Impact is focused on U.S. affordable housing, small business, and community development. Her previous experience ranges from research & advisory on impact investing and impact measurement; to the design & modeling of investment vehicles that increase capital access in historically disenfranchised communities.

Prior to her transition into impact investing, Eileen was responsible for deploying corporate credit solutions to government, universities, nonprofits, and financial institutions at MUFG. She served as chapter president of Project by Project, a national Asian American philanthropic leadership accelerator, and is an alum at the CAUSE Leadership Institute and Leadership Los Angeles. Eileen graduated with a BS from Stanford University and an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas.

Eileen grew up in Cambodia Town in Long Beach, CA, and continues to support community-centered organizations such as Social Justice Partners Los Angeles, Little Tokyo Community Investment Fund, and Chinatown Community for Equitable Development.

Victoria Romano

2006 Hamilton Scholar | Member

Victoria Romano is the co-owner and CEO of RomaScope, a full service video production company that specializes in educational programming, corporate videos, commercials, and digital ads. Prior to RomaScope, she was an assistant account executive at the premiere business management firm in the entertainment industry, NKSFBGO, where she was responsible for the tax, financial and business/life management needs of internationally known entertainers, musicians, artists and high net worth individuals. She worked her way up through the ranks of the entertainment industry including time at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Sony Pictures Entertainment, CBS Films, Fullscreen and New Form; and is now fulfilling her dream by using that experience to produce content and music that empowers people to be the best versions of themselves. She received her Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Masters degree in Critical Studies from the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. She has been a Hamilton Scholar since her award in spring, 2006.

Steve Barillas

2009 Hamilton Scholar | Member

Steve Barillas is a lead software developer for Sail Golden Gate Consulting, where he is responsible for the architectural planning and execution of projects for major tech companies around the country. Originally from Los Angeles, he received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of California Berkeley.

As a member of the 2009 cohort, the Hamilton Scholars program helped set the stage for Steve’s college and early professional career. He joins the alumni board with a desire to provide and build upon the resources, knowledge, and camaraderie that the program offers for current and future Hammies.

In his spare time, Steve enjoys gardening, learning new recipes, and traveling abroad.

Jasmeen (Jazz) Kaur

2012 Hamilton Scholar | Member

Eunice Ng

2011 Hamilton Scholar | Member

As a first-generation immigrant from Malaysia (though ethnically Chinese), my home was a medley of cultures. Despite the challenge of trying to carve out my own identity, my parents taught me to embrace diversity. They also instilled in me the importance of faith, hard work and giving back to the community. I am passionate about science and supporting underrepresented groups in pursuing a future in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math, and medical science). From my personal experiences, I have learned the key to retention of minorities in STEMM fields is to empower students from an early age. This motivates me to pursue a career in academia. At UCLA, I completed my B.S. in Biochemistry and currently pursuing my doctorate in Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology, where the focus of my research is on molecular mechanisms leading to macular degeneration in blinding diseases. I serve as a member on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee for the UCLA Department of Ophthalmology. Additionally, I am involved with the Center for Research, Teaching, and Learning program to enhance education for diverse learners by implementing inclusive and evidence-based teaching practices.

In my free time I love reading a good book, watching period or crime shows, volunteering at my church, and eating spicy food. Most importantly, I am so excited to be a part of the Alumni Board and give back to my Hammie community!

Linda Xiao

2014 Hamilton Scholar | Member

Alia Kabba

2016 Hamilton Scholar | Member

Alia Kabba is a Manufacturing engineer at Cummins, Inc. Here, she helps create better processes and systems for engine components. She graduated in 2021 from Purdue University after studying Manufacturing Engineering Technology with a focus in automation. Originally from Plainfield, IL, Alia's work has taken her to several cities, of which, she has decided to make Charleston, SC her new home.

Alia has many hobbies and passions ranging from getting involved with her community and creating new ones to creative pursuits such as crocheting, sewing, painting, and likely any craft one can think of. She is also passionate about increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion with STEM fields and volunteers at work as well as with the local National Society of Black Engineers where she serves as treasurer. Outside of work, she spends time crafting, hanging out with her cat Kelly, and taking CrossFit classes.

Andrew Ock

2016 Hamilton Scholar | Member

Born in Queens and currently residing in Long Island, Andrew is a native New Yorker who surprisingly doesn't have a New York accent. He transferred to and graduated from Columbia University, where he studied English and Comparative Literature. He now works as a Legal Assistant at Proskauer Rose LLP. In addition to being named a Hamilton Scholar, Andrew is also a Horatio Alger National Scholar, Elks MVS Scholar, and QuestBridge Scholar.

Andrew has many interests that include linguistics, immigrants' rights, and education. Ultimately, he hopes to be an advocate for low-income immigrant families and help them access financial, legal, and educational resources. In his free time, Andrew likes to read, exercise, look up restaurant menus days before he actually goes there, and learn languages.

Mayra Herrera

2016 Hamilton Scholar | Member

Juan Trujillo

2016 Hamilton Scholar | Member