Asian Pacific American & Refugee Student Services - Staff

My name is Nellie Lopez, Administrative Assistant, with the Asian Pacific American and Refugee Student Services Department (APARSS). I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona.  I attended Tucson Unified schools and graduated from Tucson High School and attended Pima Community College. 

 I began my career with Tucson Unified in 1970.  I have worked in different capacities ranging from Library Clerk, Teacher Assistant, Administrative Assistant to Executive Assistant.  My latest job is Administrative Assistant with APARSS.

I enjoy working with the Administrative Team, Language/Student Specialists and staff.  I  love helping the students and parents so they can have better opportunities for a successful future. 

The languages I speak are: English and Spanish.

As a proud American with Korean heritage, my name is Yoon Lee.  I arrived in the United States as a college freshman, eager to learn a new language and culture in the land of opportunities. With a passion for education and communication, I pursued both undergraduate and graduate degrees, aiming to better understand my new home and its people.

 As an empty nester with independent children, I am fully committed to my work as a program coordinator for APARSS which is both rewarding and challenging, and I wholeheartedly believe in its mission. I am dedicated to making a positive impact by working towards better opportunities for all students, particularly those who may face additional challenges as refugees or from Asian-Pacific American backgrounds. Each day, I am inspired by the small changes we can make to create a more inclusive and equitable environment. As I continue my work, I am grateful for the support of those who share the vision of a better future. I believe that through collective efforts, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and communities.

Thank you for your support in this important work.

The languages I speak are: Korean and English

My name is Henri Nzeyimana.  I’m an experienced educator and advocate of child protection and youth development who has outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with a high sense of integrity, honesty, and responsibility.  I’m fluent multilingual in English, French, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, and Swahili. I firmly believe in diversity, gender equality, and equal opportunity for all.  

Prior to coming to the United States, I worked as a teacher and a child protection program manager with International NGOs and United Nations Agencies. I oversaw a wide range of integrated programs promoting education, protection, health, sanitation, and hygiene for displaced and refugee children in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, and South Sudan. He coordinated programs promoting community empowerment and engagement in school management to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged children. 

I have been dedicated to helping refugees and immigrants’ integration through training, education, and employment services in his different capacities as an educator with Tucson Unified, and a member of the Interagency Refugee Education Network in Tucson. Henri currently serves as Tucson Unified Refugee Student Services Program Coordinator.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature, a Master's degree in Human Rights, Humanitarian Action, and Education, and certificates in community interpreting and refugee education.  

The languages I speak are: Kirundi, Swahili, French, Kinyarwanda, and English 

My name is Aidan Lewis. I am an American by birth; however, I spent half of my childhood in Afghanistan and India and have lived and traveled abroad extensively as an adult. I earned a B.A. in English literature and an M.A. in South Asian geopolitics with a focus on Afghanistan, and have worked variously as a writer, editor, researcher, and consultant. Currently, I support Dari/Farsi-speaking families across TUSD. I consider it a joy to welcome refugee families and mentor students who are culturally and geographically displaced.
The languages I speak are: Dari, Farsi, and English
 

Sanya Attallah: Bridging Communities Through Education
Sanya Attallah, a nursing school graduate in Iraq, has been a multilingual educator since 2014 and speaks Aramaic, Arabic, and English. In 2017, she found her calling in the Tucson Unified School District, where she passionately serves refugee students and families within and outside the school. Her dedication to community service is evident through her tireless efforts to provide vital support, workshops, and initiatives, ensuring refugee families receive the best educational opportunities. Sanya's linguistic skills play a vital role in fostering cultural understanding and connection among diverse communities. Her story exemplifies the transformative influence of education as she tirelessly strives to ensure every student can build a promising future. Sanya believes that refugee students are not just learners but resilient souls with boundless potential. Education becomes their compass, guiding them through the seas of uncertainty, and with nurturing support, they can chart a course toward a brighter horizon. 

The languages I speak are: Arabic English and Aramaic

 

My name is Alan Ton. I am a Student Success Specialist for Asian Pacific American & Refugee Student services under EDI Department of TUSD. I can speak and translate in Vietnamese and English. I was born in the South of Vietnam, later on grow up in the vibrant and energetic city of Ho Chi Minh and then graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology in Singapore.
Having the opportunity to indulge myself in those multicultural, fast changing and active environments has helped me to develop understanding and motivation to be of help and support the Vietnamese and Asian Pacific communities after moving to the United States. I am also a father of two beautiful daughters and highly value the importance of education for children. As part of Tucson Unified School District, I love to serve and help the Asian Pacific students and parents to gain access to meaningful resources and services by buiding connection and having that open communication between schools, district and families. Together, I believe we can achieve success in the students academic progress, in their career goals and eventually in their future.
The languages I speak are Vietnamese and English.
 

My name is Désiré Ndabibonye, and I am a Student Success Specialist. I have a Bachelor of Science in Applied Management. I taught High School Math for seven years in a refugee camp in Tanzania. Since 2010, I have been working in TUSD, helping students with their math, interpreting for parent meetings, and translating district forms and letters. In addition to English, I speak Kirundi, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, and French. I am married and have eight children. I enjoy helping students and families so they can make a difference in their lives- here in the United States.
The languages I speak are: Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, French and English
 

My name is Abdul Sami Ebrahimi, I have a Bachelors in Medical Technology and an Associate’s degree in Business Economic. I am an Afghan and I work as a Language Support Specialist for Refugee Student Services under the department of Asian Pacific American & Refugee Student Services. As a Language Support Specialist my work involves monitoring and looking at the academic studies of refugee students who are under my caseload. I work with parents and families to collaborate with schools to promote student success.
I am married and father of two children. I was born in Kabul Afghanistan; Afghanistan is in the heart of Asia, and it is mountainous and beautiful. I arrived in USA on September 1^st, 2021.
The languages I speak are: English, Dari, Pashto, and Farsi
 

My name is Bassam, I have long years of experience working with diverse students and their parents. My role is to help students understand the available programs, determine their educational goals and objectives, and to offer guidance in choosing the desired program. However, Part of my job was to coordinate and develop student/family mentor programs to increase student academic and social achievement. I worked as a long-term sub at PCC 29^th street location as instructor, I was teaching English for adult refugees. In addition to supporting students at school, I was running after-school tutoring, where I work one-on-one with students. I am an Educator, Advocator, and I enjoy using my skills to provide services and help refugee students and families within the diverse communities here in Tucson. I graduated from the College of Arts in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in English literature and master’s degree in business administration and management from university of phoenix.
 

My name is Benjamin Nimpe. I was born and raised in Burundi, which is in the central East of Africa. I got a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education at the University of Burundi. I was an English Teacher in High School for 4 years. I moved to Tucson in 2016. I started working for TUSD in 2022, working as a Language Support Specialist with Asian Pacific American & Refugee Student Services (APARSS). I enjoy working in TUSD especially APARSS team because it helped me to get back in the field of education.
This department is multilanguage, multicultural with one goal: to serve our students and families and help them to become more independent.
The languages I speak are, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, French and English
 

My name is Entekhab Alsaraji. As a Language Support Specialist, I guide and uplift refugee students on their educational journey. From understanding program requirements to setting goals, I am here to provide unwavering support. Through mentorship programs and personalized tutoring, I ensure every student thrives academically and socially. Together, let’s unlock the potential within each student and pave the way for a brighter future. With a background in English literature and ongoing studies in educational leadership, I am dedicated to empowering others through knowledge. As an educator, advocator, and interpreter, I strive to create inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive. Join me on this journey of transformation and impact. Together, we can make a lasting change in our communities.
Languages spoken: Arabic and English
 

My name is Leonard Muhunga. I am married and father of four children. I was born in the landlocked small country of Burundi, located on the Northeastern shoreline of Lake Tanganyika. Burundi is a very mountainous beautiful country. I enjoyed studying, working, and living in my homeland. Back home I worked as a judge at Residential Court.
In 2000, I unfortunately had to leave my beautiful country due to war and political situations. I lived in Namibia for 12 years in Osire refugee Camp. In the camp I first worked as French and social studies teacher, grade four teachers and Sexual and Reproductive Health Coordinator. I also served as Gender Equality Promoter, SGBV Task Force member and as a Deputy Chairperson of the Refugee committee.
I arrived in USA in June 2013 and joined the department of Asian Pacific American & Refugee Student Services (APARSS). I started working for APARSS in November of 2013 shortly after arriving to the United States. I enjoy working as a Language Support Specialist.
The languages I speak are: Kirundi, Kiswahili, French, Kinyarwanda, Portuguese and English
 

My name is Yummna Qureshi, I graduated in 2018 from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies in Social Behavior and Human Understanding Emphasis.

Currently, I am the School Community Liaison for Asian Pacific American and Refugee Student Services department. Through this position, I help students get the resources and supplies they need to be successful in their education. I am also the SharePoint Web Developer for this department.

I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. My heritage is from Pakistan as both of my parents were born there.

The languages I speak are: Urdu, Hindi, and English