Dr. Eunice Kang is an Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Vanguard University in the Department of History and Political Science. She graduated from USC with a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations. She has worked in academia and taught at various colleges; she is also a practitioner as she worked in the U.S. embassy, federal and local elections, non-profit organizations, and started her own business publishing books. She studied abroad and worked internationally in London, Tokyo, and Seoul, used to be a news radio host, and plays the guitar. Her passion is to equip students to be well- informed in domestic and international politics; her vision is to train Vanguard students to be top Christian leaders and influencers in this field. She typically teaches two core classes: American Democracy and Modern World Civilizations II, and many of the upper division political science and international relations courses.
Christopher HK Lee is an internationally acclaimed entertainment and educational content producer, award-winning film director, and CEO of EUM Culture America, focusing on live events, research initiatives, and technology R&D. With more than three decades of experience, he has worked across architecture, interactive media, visual effects, animation, and filmmaking, earning international recognition for his creative leadership and production work.
Christopher is the founder of Jackson Doc Fest, KTOWN International Film Festival, and CARE Projects, organizations dedicated to documentary filmmaking, historical research, archiving, and preserving oral histories through film and media.
He has also lectured and collaborated on academic development and research projects for more than twenty years at institutions including Harvard University, Johns Hopkins, USC, UCLA, UC, Berkeley, Columbia, MIT, New York University, École Polytechnique, Tsinghua University, and Seoul National University. His films have screened at more than 150 international film festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival, Golden Globe, and the Academy Awards, receiving more than 60 Best Film awards.
Korean news channel YTN recognized Christopher as one of the “Influential Figures in the Korean American Community in the United States” for his accomplishments.
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Kibum Kim is the CEO of K&Arts, a cultural arts company dedicated to reimagining Korean traditional culture and Gugak for contemporary audiences. He is the founder and producer of Bidan, one of Korea’s leading fusion traditional music groups, known for blending classical Korean sounds with modern musical styles. Bidan has been invited to perform at major international cultural events and at numerous colleges and universities across the United States.
With over 25 years in the entertainment industry, Kim has held executive-level production roles at some of Korea’s leading entertainment companies. He served as Planning Deputy Director at PAN Entertainment, where he produced drama soundtracks including the internationally acclaimed Winter Sonata OST. He later became Head of the Producing Team at SM Entertainment, overseeing album production and concert planning for iconic K-pop artists such as H.O.T., S.E.S., and BoA.
As a producer and cultural strategist, he is committed to creating sustainable career opportunities for Gugak artists and addressing structural challenges within the traditional arts sector. Through performances, educational initiatives, and international collaborations, he continues to promote the global visibility and modernization of Korean traditional arts while preserving their cultural integrity.
Dr. Jae Hyeok Jang is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities and Music Education at Vanguard University. He earned music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music (MM) and Boston University (DMA) and brings extensive experience as a conductor, composer, educator, and church music minister. He has trained choirs and orchestras in settings ranging from schools and churches to community and professional ensembles.
Before Vanguard, Dr. Jang taught at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago for 12 years and directed the Candlelight Carols production, a major Chicago cultural event. He has guest conducted ensembles in Sweden and Romania and served as artistic director for organizations including GEMA Missions Choir and Orchestra, Exeter Symphonia, Boston Korean Chorus, and the Little OL Korea Arts Foundation of Chicago.
A published composer and lecturer, Dr. Jang has presented nationally and internationally. His book on educating the whole person, co-authored with his wife Yoojin Choi, was published in Korea and Vietnam. Before Moody, he taught at Phillips Exeter Academy. As a Christian educator, he is committed to mentoring students through faith, excellence, and personal care.
Dr. Jimenez received his doctorate in Church History from Fuller Theological Seminary, where he developed an interdisciplinary approach connecting Christian faith, literature, and history. His research includes the work of theologian Karl Barth and Christian alliances with Cesar Chavez and the UFW. He teaches courses in political philosophy, religious thought, and world history, and serves as faculty advisor for Clio & Cicero, the History & Political Science Department Academic Journal.
Professor Ona La Motte is Associate Director of the Writing Center and Assistant Professor of English at Vanguard University of Southern California. She teaches English and oversees Writing Center programs, curriculum, and outreach. She holds an MA in English and TESOL from Oklahoma State University and has taught across Southern California, Oklahoma, and internationally. Her work focuses on writing pedagogy, multicultural literature, identity discourse, ESL curriculum development, and first-year composition courses.
Dr. Paul Hwang is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology who specializes in exercise physiology, bioenergetics, and sports nutrition. He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles in distinguished academic journals, including the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, and Journal of Sports Science. In addition, Dr. Hwang has presented more than 10 research abstracts at national conferences and organizations, including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN).
As an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at Vanguard University of Southern California, Dr. Hwang integrates student-centered teaching that emphasizes spiritual empowerment, mentorship, and academic excellence. He believes every student has the opportunity to become academically equipped to serve as an ambassador for Christ.
Mr. Tom Byun
Dr. Ku has spent over three decades in higher education. A graduate of Harvard College, with an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, he is a noted expert in Asian affairs. He has taught political science at Brown University, Johns Hopkins SAIS, and Yonsei University, and led a Johns Hopkins think tank for 11 years as well as a project at Freedom House. Throughout his career, he has advised many students on academic and career pathways.
He has authored several books and articles on Asian security, appeared on major networks such as CNN, CNBC, and Fox News, and been cited in outlets including The New York Times and The Washington Post. He is also the executive producer of the documentary films “I Am Grace,” “Rescued by Fate,” and “The Last Tear.”
Dr. Kieun Steve Kim serves as Associate Professor of Music and Music Liaison for Community Partnerships at Vanguard University. He is also Director of Worship and Music at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, where he provides leadership for worship ministries, including nine vibrant ensembles. Prior to this role, he served as Chair of the Music Department, Director of Choral Activities, and Vice Chancellor of International Affairs at Simpson University. He has prepared choirs for performances with major orchestras, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra. His choral works, spanning genres, including classical, jazz, gospel, and K-pop have been performed by Grammy Award winning ensembles including Chanticleer and Westminster Choir. His scholarly work focuses on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, with analyses published by GIA Publications. He holds degrees from the University of Maryland, Westminster Choir College, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and currently serves on the board of the California Choral Directors Association as Director of Community and Worship Programs.
Professor Paul Rivas is a dedicated educator and cultural advocate who teaches History at Lane College, where he engages students with globally informed perspectives on the past. Beyond the classroom, he is active in the arts and international storytelling community as co-founder of an international documentary film festival in Jackson, Tennessee, bringing together filmmakers, scholars, and audiences to explore diverse real-world narratives.
He also serves as History Program Director for the KTOWN International Film Festival in Los Angeles, where he develops programming that highlights historical themes in cinema and encourages dialogue about how history is represented on screen. Through his academic and festival work, Professor Rivas bridges education and the arts, connecting history with culture and storytelling.
gamin is a distinguished Korean wind instrumentalist and a designated Yisuja (master) of Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 46 for Court and Royal Military Music. Specializing in Korean reed instruments—the piri, taepyeongso, and saenghwang—she reimagines traditional forms through cross-disciplinary collaboration and improvisation.
gamin has toured internationally, performing at renowned venues including the Concertgebouw, Roulette, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and alongside Yo-Yo Ma at the Silkroad concerts. She has received prestigious fellowships from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Asian Cultural Council, the Jerome Foundation, and the Howard Foundation. Her artist residencies include HERE Arts Center in New York City, the Camargo Foundation in France, and Harrison House in Joshua Tree.
Since 2018, she has curated the Crossing Boundaries performance series at the Center for Remembering and Sharing in New York. Gamin’s scheduled Carnegie Hall debut in March 2020, as a featured soloist, was canceled due to COVID-19.
Since 2022, she has served as the director of Music of Korea at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where she teaches Korean music and an improvised music ensemble.
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Dr. Hien Park has an MPA degree from the University of Washington and a doctoral degree in Sociology from UC-Irvine. Her research interests are immigrant communities and the immigrant/refugee adaptations over the life course. She enjoys teaching research methods, statistics and research practicum. Dr. Park enjoys teaching at Vanguard for its small class sizes because she gets to mentor student research and help them attend academic conferences to present their empirical findings. She’s been the faculty advisor to a number of student clubs, including APIC, VU Leap, and One Voice.
Professor Enid Bozic is an Assistant Professor of Political Science & International Relations Department of History and Political Science at Vanguard University of Southern California. Her teaching focuses on emerging technologies, digital strategy, leadership, and communication in the evolving digital economy. A doctoral candidate at Pepperdine University, her research explores identity, innovation, digital entrepreneurship, and inclusive digital ecosystems. She is also founder of Imperishable Beauty and executive producer of The Commtastic Podcast, a student-led communication and leadership program.
Amini Hwang is an adjunct science professor at Vanguard University of Southern California specializing in biology and student-centered science education. She holds a Master of Science in Biology from University of California San Diego and is passionate about mentoring students through engaging and supportive learning experiences.
Professor Berkompas holds a B.F.A. in Acting/Directing from University of Montana and an M.F.A. from California Repertory Company. She studied with John Barton at BADA and is a member of SAG-AFTRA. Founder of the American Coast Theater Company, she teaches acting and directing courses at Vanguard University of Southern California and directs a wide range of plays and musicals.