Charles Mikhail Almeda Zabala

My name is Charles Mikhail Almeda Zabala. It means to think or to wonder. Every child in the Philippines has a nickname, mine is Taka. A Tagalog word that translates to wonder and to think. I have always had an affinity for cultures, storytelling, grammar, and theory. After all, I am double majoring in American multicultural studies and anthropology with minors in English and linguistics. I am openly gay and I am an HIV advocate. I have a background in the culinary industry, I am a former celebrity chef in the Philippines, but here I am a first-year college student.

I transferred to Sonoma State in the Spring of 2017 and have been highly involved on campus. I was part of the Yoga Club, Wine Sense Club (vice president of Food and Wine pairings), Filipino American Association at Sonoma State University (cultural chair), Hillside Village Council (programming officer), RHA administrative coordinator, and I teach yoga at the Recreation Center.

As a new student, wayfinding was one of the most difficult aspects here at Sonoma State. Since I started college in 2010, my family has always taught me to find my own way. If I need to get lost to find my way, then that is what I need to do.

In my first semester, I took my Anthropology Linguistics method class with Dr. Richard Senghas and that class helped me grow as a student and a scholar. With that experience, it led me to my mentor Dr. Leny Strobel who helped me find my Pilipino voice in the campus where wayfinding was difficult. However, none of this would be possible if not for the following faculty and their support; Dr. Elenita Strobel who is now retired, but continues to advise me in my endeavors, Dr. Richard Senghas who has fueled my love for language and linguistics, and Dr. Christina Baker- Foley who has been one of the most supportive faculty members I have had. I have been a teaching assistant for the American Multicultural Studies department- AMCS 350 Ethics, Values, and Multiculturalism- specifically with Dr. Jurgen Kremer. I am still working with said faculty, and I am also working with Mark Fabionar and his team at the HUB. Wayfinding has helped me find my voice, identity, and truth.