The College of Education is bridging the gap between students and faculty with the help of a new minority liaison officer.

Ming-huei Lam is the new coordinator for the minority recruitment and retention program in the College of Education.

Lam, who was born in Taiwan, said she believes her personal experience in cultural adjustment helps her to understand and have compassion for minority students.

“It’s not that majority students don’t want to work with minority students and faculty, they just don’t know how,” Lam said.

Lam is contacting minority students in the College of Education to make them aware of her presence and invite them to speak with her.

Quentin Abraham, sophomore in elementary education, said he was impressed Lam took the initiative to contact him about a meeting.

“She gave me some good insight to how I should approach exams,” Abraham said. “She didn’t dumb it down, but just made it more clear by using analogies.”

Lam said her main focus for students is academics. She said would like to work with study skills and identity issues of multiethnic students.

Lam is also a graduate student in education leadership and policy studies, finishing her Ph.D. and has experience in counseling.

Lam held a position similar to the minority liaison officer at the University of Washington, where she was also an adviser for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.

Lam is also involved in Each One Teach One, Iowa State Conference of Race Ethnicity and the Minority Students Services Coordinating Team.

She will hold an open house Nov. 12 in N166 Lagomarcino for new College of Education students. She said also plans to coordinate monthly ice cream socials or other gatherings for the faculty in the college.

Lam specializes in minority recruitment and retention, but she welcomes all students from the College of Education to make appointments to speak with her.

Abraham said students in the College of Education should take the time to speak with Lam.

“Meeting her will probably be one of the most memorable things you’ll do while pursuing your education career,” he said.

Abraham said he plans to visit Lam again next week.

“She gives students who really don’t feel like they have a positive outlet an opportunity to talk with someone who will genuinely care about them every step of the way and not give up on them,” Abraham said. “She inspires you to move forward.”