Erika K. Pen is a Cambodian-American emerging student affairs practitioner and researcher. She aims to research and explore the intersection of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) cultural identity in higher education settings, how multicultural and identity-based student organizations support cultural identity growth, and increase persistence rates among AANHPI students. Her roles as a Grad Assistant for the SSU鈥檚 麻豆成人精品 for Justice and Liberation along with Program Assistant at UML鈥檚 Asian American 麻豆成人精品 for Excellence and Engagement have allowed her to apply student development theory to practice. Finally, they are the Region I Representative for NASPA's Asian Pacific Islander Knowledge, a role that has contributed to their professional and academic growth. In her free time, you can find them exploring new places, spending time with loved ones, practicing their Khmer reading and writing skills, learning Cantonese, and of course, getting a bubble tea.
Erika鈥檚 Civic Engagement Hall of Fame community partner is the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association.
Learn more about the 2026 Civic Engagement Inductees and Nominees