Thank you FAPAC-DOI Intern, Isha Kalia

In early September 2022, Isha completed her time with us as our Summer 2022 FAPAC-DOI Intern. Isha supported FAPAC-DOI through creating our summer newsletters, advertising and organizing the FAPAC-DOI election for the FY 2023 board, and coordinating a FAPAC-DOI social! 

Isha Kalia is a rising sophomore at Stanford University studying Public Policy with a focus on Resource, Energy, and Environmental Policy. She is a second-generation Indian immigrant born and raised in Iowa. Her trips to India as a child sparked her interest in environmental justice, sustainable agriculture, and social justice and equity issues. Isha was very excited to intern for FAPAC-DOI and used her position to foster greater community within the AANHPI community at the Department of Interior.

Read more about Isha in FAPAC-DOI Newsletter_July 2022.pdf and FAPAC-DOI Newsletter_August 2022.pdf

Congratulations Lena Chang and Kelly Kim! 

Congratulations to our very own Lena Chang and Kelly Kim for being awarded the FAPAC 2021 Diversity Excellence Award! This award recognizes their significant contributions to the advancement and promotion of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

Lena and Kelly were recognized for their "Remarkable contributions towards diversity and inclusion through collaboration against all odds." Because of their outstanding efforts, Lena and Kelly were awarded the Vanguard Award on May 2021 by the DOI Connections Team! 

FAPAC-DOI "Co-Workers"

 “This is Kaio (named after Kaio-ken from Dragon Ball Z, yes). 

She is 5 years old. Like me, she is an immigrant from Southeast Asia. She is a rescue street kitten that my husband and I adopted when we worked in Manila, Philippines. At the time, she was a little less than 4 weeks old, but her mother was run over by a car and could not nurse her. She's come a long way, and she is an introverted cat with a fun-loving streak and a warm heart.”  

Thao Tran, Office of Wildland Fire, Washington, D.C.

"My “field team” is a flock of
sikie chicken crosses.
From left to right:

 Kaki, Ume, Yuzu, Momo, and Anzu.
They are very productive!"

“I'd like to introduce you to my dog - Dusty, a Chocolate Lab. Dusty is 5 years old. 

He loves to go on walks; however, I must closely monitor him because

he also loves water and given an opportunity, he'll dive in.” 

Karen Ridgeway, EEO Specialist and the Special Emphasis Program Manager for Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement, Washington, D.C.

Biscuit  

Female Bluetick Coonhound Mix, 

5 years old

 Mr. Krabs

Male(?) Goldfish

2 years old(?)

Out of office co-worker
that we visit frequently: 

Cody, Male Quarterhorse

19 years old

"George is an 11-year old cockapoo rescue.
He’s a grumpy old man who’s a great office mate and sleeps all day while I’m working.
When he's not asleep, George loves a good squeaky toy, head scratches, and playing fetch."

Kelly, DOI Office of Human Capital

"My family adopted Sweetie, a red-heeler/terrier mix, when she was 2 years old.  About a month into owning her, we learned that she was deaf! Although we were initially afraid that she would not be able to keep up with our adventurous life style, she proved that she was more than capable through her attentiveness, rapid ability to learn new tricks, and her endless ability to trust and go with the flow.  12 years later and we can't imagine life without her! 

"I adopted Mushu from a friend who realized that Mushu was not a good fit for her household. Little did I know how sassy this little reptile could be! Unlike most bearded dragons, Mushu is not lazy or mellow, instead she enjoys running full speed around the house, leaping off make-shift agility courses, and teasing the dogs by sprinting at them."

Karen Sinclair, Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service