Founded in 1955, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) is comprised of over 85 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities in California. Together, these institutions make up the Independent California Colleges and Universities sector (ICCU). 

AICCU works on behalf of the ICCU sector to articulate the principles and priorities of its institutions in the higher education ecosystem of California. AICCU provides a strong and visible presence at the state and federal level, as well as professional development opportunities for its member institutions’ senior leaders.

Meet the Team

Kristen Soares

President

Kristen Soares is the fourth president of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities. As president, she works in partnership with leaders across the state to shape policy for California’s independent colleges and universities. She serves as the chief spokesperson for the Independent California College and University sector, which includes more than 80 nonprofit institutions dedicated to the public good. Under her leadership, AICCU has advanced key policy initiatives to support students, including a landmark agreement with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to adopt the Associate Degree for Transfer pathway, improving transfer opportunities for community college students.

Soares brings extensive experience in higher education, policy, administration, and governmental advocacy. She previously spent nearly 25 years at the University of Southern California (USC), where she served as the senior associate vice president for government relations and civic engagement, leading USC’s government and community relations in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Washington, D.C. She serves on several influential boards, such as the California Education Round Table and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities Executive Council, and also chairs the California Intersegmental Coordinating Council. Soares is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration.

Email: kristen.soares@aiccu.edu

Amber Gonzalez

Operations Assistant

Amber Gonzalez joined AICCU in April 2014. As the operations assistant, Gonzalez aids the President and Director of Membership Services & Strategic Initiatives. Gonzalez is pursuing her Bachelor’s in Project Management from National University and is set to graduate in February 2026.  Additionally, Gonzalez is the lead on the AICCU Annual Meeting and is the liaison for the AICCU Executive Committee. Before finding her home with AICCU, she provided administrative support to Environment California and Fund for the Public Interest.

Email: amber.gonzalez@aiccu.edu

Alex Graves

Vice President for Government Relations

Alex Graves joined AICCU in January 2019 and serves as vice president for government relations, acting as the chief lobbyist responsible for legislative advocacy and public policy leadership in support of independent higher education. He works as the liaison between AICCU and the Governor’s Office, the California Legislature, California Student Aid Commission, and other public bodies. Prior to joining AICCU, he served as the legislative advocate at the California State University Office of Advocacy & State Relations, handling legislation related to admissions, financial aid, K–12 and teacher preparation, student basic needs, and transfer. He also gained experience at the Alzheimer’s Association as a legislative assistant and at the Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy as a graduate research assistant. Graves earned his Bachelor of Arts in Politics from Occidental College and his Master of Public Policy and Administration from Sacramento State University. A committed community volunteer, he has supported Occidental through the ViSTA program for a decade and has also volunteered with the YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Junior Giants Baseball Program.

Email: alex.graves@aiccu.edu

Danyelle Okamoto

Director of Membership Services & Strategic Initiatives

Danyelle Okamoto joined AICCU in July 2009 and currently serves as the director of membership services and strategic initiatives. In this role, she leads recruitment and retention activities, member services, and business partner engagement while developing and marketing new partnerships and programs. She collaborates with organizations such as the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities State Executives and the California ICC Transfer Days/College Nights Subcommittee. Previously, she served as AICCU’s director of communications and strategic initiatives, managing marketing, branding, and social media strategy. She also held the role of director of research and publications, overseeing data collection and analysis to support advocacy and media efforts. Okamoto earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of the Pacific and her Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Drexel University, and has volunteered with the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Sacramento as well as the Junior League of Sacramento.

Email: danyelle.okamoto@aiccu.edu

Pamela Ong

Director of Data & Research

Pamela Ong joined AICCU in June 2021 and serves as the Director of Data and Research. She oversees data collection, analysis, and reporting to support AICCU’s policy and advocacy efforts, while incorporating data to inform decision-making and highlight the contributions of the sector. Ong advocates for policies that benefit students and institutions at both the state and federal levels. She has extensive experience in postsecondary education, particularly within the independent sector, and has held roles in institutional research, financial aid, and planning. In addition to her work at AICCU, she serves on the CAIR Board of Directors and the State National Information Network Advisory Committee. Ong holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UC Davis and a Master’s Degree in Experimental Psychology from San Jose State University..

Email: pamela.ong@aiccu.edu

Sharlene Phou

Communications Associate

Sharlene Phou joined AICCU in November 2022 and serves as the Communications Associate. In this role, she is responsible for development, management, and outreach efforts that advance AICCU’s advocacy goals. She is also the primary contact for media professionals, coordinating press releases, newsletters, and story ideas. Phou comes from a news background and has written for local media outlets including The State Hornet, Sactown Magazine, and CBS13 Sacramento. Her reporting experience ranges from local festivals and restaurant openings to more critical topics such as crime and the COVID-19 pandemic. She graduated from Sacramento State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a minor in Communications.

Email: sharlene.phou@aiccu.edu

Mmeli Ugochukwu

Advocacy & Engagement Coordinator

Mmeli Ugochukwu joined AICCU in October 2025. As the Advocacy and Engagement Coordinator, she oversees AICCU’s Independent California Colleges Advocate Program (ICCAP). She also supports the Vice President for Governmental Relations with legislative and budget initiatives. Ugochukwu earned her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a minor in Global Studies from UCLA. She spent five years working in K–12 education, beginning as a substitute instructional aide and later serving as a substitute teacher. Prior to joining AICCU, she gained valuable public policy experience as a Senate Fellow in the Office of Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes through the Capitol Fellows Program.

Email: mmeli.ugochukwu@aiccu.edu

Thomas Vu

Vice President for Policy

Thomas Vu joined AICCU in January 2014 and currently serves as the vice president for policy. In this role, he develops and manages the execution of AICCU’s state and federal policy agenda, including outreach to policymakers and the cultivation of key internal and external stakeholders. Vu leads AICCU’s federal advocacy efforts and manages the association’s communications work while representing independent higher education on the governing board of the Cradle-to-Career Data System Office. He also staffs the AICCU Education Deans and Directors Council and serves as a liaison to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Prior to joining AICCU, Vu held government relations roles with the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Special Districts Association, where he worked on legislation in areas such as infrastructure, workers’ compensation, and economic development. He holds degrees from UC San Diego and the University of Southern California and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy from Old Dominion University..

Email: thomas.vu@aiccu.edu