In addition to transitioning into a new physical environment, AAPIRC also welcomed Aaron Tuioti-Mariner as the center’s inaugural Program Manager on March 17. Aaron joined the UNM community last year as the sales and program manager for the Student Union Building before taking on the new AAPIRC role. Prior to moving to New Mexico, Aaron spent 15 years in higher education at Adams State University, where he held various roles, including graduate coordinator, program chair, academic advisor, assistant professor, and assistant football coach. Originally from the Pacific Islands of Samoa and raised in Orange County, California, Aaron is a first-generation college graduate. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration, an M.A. in Sports Administration, and an MBA in Leadership—all from Adams State University. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Sports Administration with a minor in Educational Leadership at UNM, with a research focus on Pacific Islander recruitment, retention, and academic success in higher education. Outside of work, Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife, five children, and their dog, Fresno. He loves attending sporting events and is an avid Los Angeles Rams and Lakers fan. He also enjoys exploring the outdoors, watching movies, and unwinding with a good book. 

Lisa Nguyen is a principal airport transportation planner for the Denver International Airport in Colorado. Lisa specializes in bridging the gap between urban design, planning, and traffic engineering. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines and earned her Master’s in transportation engineering at the University of Colorado Denver.

As someone who failed her driver’s permit test at the age of 15 and high-centered the driver’s education test vehicle, Lisa quickly realized transportation and safety were critical to our everyday lives- and is often overlooked. Her goal is to help communities move in a safer, more sustainable manner.

Additionally, Lisa serves actively on boards and committees within ITE, WTS, and SASE. In her free time, Lisa enjoys trail running and skiing, devouring poke bowls and boba tea, and visiting the hippos at the zoo.

Kayla Lyall began dancing as a child with Eva Encinias in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She became infatuated with the artform, studying in Sevilla in 2008, and winning the Concurso Nacional del Flamenco in 2005 and 2011. With her Master’s in Education, Kayla worked at charter school, Tierra Adentro of New Mexico, from 2011-2022, where she established a flamenco focus program, choreographing and training high-school students in flamenco dance. She began teaching at the National Institute of Flamenco in 2005, and continues to teach all levels and ages, co-directing and choreographing for the institute's pre-professional training company. Kayla has worked throughout the United States as a solo performer, and with the groups, "La Juerga Flamenco Ensemble" and "Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company." Currently, Kayla is a principal dancer and assistant artistic director of "Yjastros" in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Kayla is currently pursuing her master’s in fine arts in flamenco at the University of New Mexico, teaching at the University and at the National Institute of Flamenco, performing weekly at Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque, and as principal dancer in "Yjastros."