About KLCEI

Keumok is an experienced professional with a strong background in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and education. She has been teaching from preschool to college levels for two decades in Korea, Germany, and the USA, holding teaching certifications in music, special education, and other world languages endorsed by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). Additionally, she serves as a reviewer for a beginning teacher program run by CSDE. She holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) from the University of New England, a master's degree from Northwestern University & the Robert Schumann Musikhochschule, and a bachelor's degree from Yonsei University. Keumok resides in Glastonbury with her husband, two kids, and two rescued dogs.

Secretary - Kristen LevesqueKristen currently works as an engineer and has also worked as an educator. She is a graduate of Villanova University with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, a Master of Arts in Special Education from the University of St. Joseph, and a Sixth Year in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University. She takes pride in her past and present work in Equity and Inclusion and has gained valuable insights through her position as the secretary of the KLCEI Board.

Principal & Treasurer - Jiyon Scudder 이지연Jiyon holds a BS from Changwon National University with Political Science in South Korea and an MBA from Bay Path University in MA.  Jiyon has worked as a Senior Project Manager in different Industries for years, and she currently works as a Lead PM in a renewable energy industry. Jiyon serves the local communities through KLCEI to embrace diversity and empower others.  Jiyon feels honored to serve as a Principal as well as a Board Member for KLCEI.

Board Member - Elizabeth (Bepsie) PerryBepsie has a Bachelor of Science from Lesley University,  a first Masters of Education from Saint Joseph University and a second Master's degree in educational administration from CCSU.  She holds a certification in elementary education, special education and Intermediate Administration or Supervision. She has been working as an elementary teacher, a special education teacher and a transitional coordinator over the decades. She has been the president of Hello! West Hartford, an organization of West Hartford's new Community Connections group.
She lives in West Hartford with her husband Shannon and three children, Naomi, Eli and Isaiah.  In her free time, she loves to volunteer, ski or ride her bike.  

Sungkyun is a polymer scientist, with 20+ years of private industry experience, both in Korea and the US. He holds a BS and an MS degree in Fiber and Polymer Science from Seoul National University, as well as a PhD degree in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Since 2019, he has served as a KLCEI board member, taking varying levels of responsibility over time. Leveraging his technical and financial expertise, he strives for a sustainable and transparent operation of KLCEI. He feels honored to serve on the board.

Jungmin Song is an Assistant Professor in Residence in the Department of Dramatic Arts and a Research Associate at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut (UConn). Originally from South Korea, she studied at Seoul Science High School and earned a Bachelor's degree in Costume and Textile from Seoul National University before moving to the United Kingdom to pursue advanced studies in theatre design and completed her Ph.D. in performance art from Roehampton University in London. Currently, she teaches contemporary theatre, performance art, Shakespeare, and puppetry and curates museum exhibitions at UConn.
Dr. Song was the co-recipient of the Special Achievement Award in 2022 and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Award in 2023 from UConn’s School of Fine Arts. These awards highlight her collaborative work as a researcher and her commitment to advancing DEI.

Board Member - Jee Nah Chang Walker Jee Nah is an Executive Vice President at Kaplow Communications, a female-founded, award-winning communications and public relations agency in New York City. As the recipient of the PR News PR Professional of the Year and PR News PR Team Leader of the Year awards, she has been recognized for her leadership in the PR industry and for her work repositioning heritage lifestyle brands including Target, Fidelity Investments, Stanley, David’s Bridal and Timex. As a first-generation Korean American, raising biracial daughters, she is passionate about creating a welcoming space to learn about Korean language and culture for all. Jee Nah attended The University of Colorado at Boulder with degrees in English and Creative Writing. At Kaplow, she is a founding member of the agency's DEIB Taskforce.