THE VELD FELLOWSHIP
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OUR FELLOWS

​Manuel Fors

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​Manuel (Manny) Fors was raised in Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania, and attended Middlebury College (‘24’) where he graduated with a major in Computer Science. His Computer Science Major focused on Applications of Computing, Algorithmic Problem Solving, and the Ethics of Responsible Computing. He also studied linguistics and continues to follow up with these studies in his free time.
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Manny strives to develop his Chinese language skills. He hopes to be able to combine his linguistic ability with his technical skills during an internship while here. At Middlebury, he worked for the campus satirical newspaper, The Local Noodle, as a photo editor and peer-tutored for the Computer Science department. From a young age, Manny knew he liked teaching others and has worked a collection of teaching gigs, including being a ski-instructor.

​Kyle Chen

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​​Kyle grew up in the Los Angeles area and graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a major in Psychology and a minor in Consumer Behavior. Kyle’s passion for cross-cultural connection deepened through multiple study abroad programs, particularly in Taiwan, where he fell in love with the island’s vibrant culture and natural beauty. His time abroad—and broader travels throughout Asia—shaped his global perspective and cultivated a deep appreciation for diverse learning environments.

​At PANO, Kyle mainly works as an essay editor, helping students improve their English writing skills and discover their personal stories and potential during the college application process. Kyle also teaches SAT and AP Psychology at PANO and is skilled at helping students prepare for standardized exams and boost their scores.

Jasmine Mao 

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​Jasmine Mao is passionate about education and community engagement. Jasmine graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Global Development Studies and Asian American Studies. After college, Jasmine dedicated herself to promoting educational equity, social justice, and prison reform, participating in advocacy efforts through organizations such as Let’s Get Free and the Abolitionist Law Center.Jasmine also co-leads an arts education program that supports educators in using art to explore issues of race and social justice. Jasmine believes that combining art and education can inspire people to think and live in more creative and liberating ways.


Jasmine has a strong interest in Taiwan’s culture, history, and education system. Jasmine looks forward to gaining a deeper understanding of how local students learn and what they need. After joining PANO, Jasmine now works as a writing advisor and instructor, teaching SAT, AP English, and History. Jasmine is committed to helping students develop clear and logical English expression and to build confidence in test prep and academic writing.​


Marianne Gutierrez

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​​Marianne grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from UCLA with a degree in Computer Science. While at UCLA, she was an active member of the nation’s first collegiate taiko group and developed a deep interest in language, culture, and global education. Her passion for exploring the world led her to intern in Singapore and study abroad at National Taiwan University, experiences that shaped her global perspective and appreciation for diverse learning environments.
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Outside of academics, Marianne enjoys traveling and learning languages, and is always eager to connect with people across cultures. At PANO, Marianne mainly teaches SAT Math and English,  AP Math and CS, and is committed to helping students strengthen both their analytical and verbal reasoning skills. With a strong foundation in logic and communication, she aims to support students in building confidence, mastering the SAT and APs, and approaching challenges with curiosity and creativity.

Noel Wang

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Noel grew up in Minnesota and received her bachelor’s degree in Physics, with a minor in Chinese, from Carleton College. She also has strong interests in contemporary English literature and physical earth sciences.
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During her time as a student, Noel was awarded a fellowship from Carleton College to travel to Japan and serve as a foreign language teaching assistant at Technos College in Tokyo, where she received the Technos International Prize for her commitment to promoting international understanding.She also completed several internships, including a fully-funded opportunity to study organic peach farming in California, and a National Science Foundation-funded research experience in physical oceanography. The findings from her NSF research will appear in a forthcoming co-authored paper on Arctic sea ice.
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Since joining PANO, Noel has primarily taught SAT English and Math, as well as AP Math and Physics. Drawing on her strong background in physics and solid foundation in mathematics, she is passionate about helping students understand complex analytical ideas and gain confidence on exams. 

VELD GRADUATES

Yasmin Kaiser - Professional Development Track

Internship: ESG Nonprofit Education, promoting campus carbon audits and curriculum integration   
Through my internship I support middle school students in a project-based learning class focused on addressing climate issues in Taiwan. I hope to promote independence and agency in students as they design, plan, and implement a climate action workshop on marine pollution in southern Taiwan.
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Yasmin Kaiser grew up near Chicago, Illinois and attended Wellesley College ('23) where she graduated with a double major in Environmental Studies and East Asian Languages and Cultures. Her Environmental Studies major focused on sustainable development, environmental policy, and environmental justice using an interdisciplinary approach to study humans’ relationships with the environment.
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Yasmin hopes to pursue internships that combine her interests in the environment and Chinese language study during the fellowship
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At Wellesley she took on leadership roles in Wellesley College Freestyle, the hip hop dance company, and Wellesley Kapatid, the Filipinx cultural organization. She also danced with Wellesley College Dancers, volunteered with the Chinatown Afterschool Program, and worked various work study and part time jobs. Yasmin has trained in ballet and circus arts from a young age and plans to continue developing her aerial arts and acrobatics skills further in Taipei. In her free time she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and discovering new cafes and bakeries.

  • Home
  • Our Team
    • Our Fellows
  • Program
    • Timeline
    • Internships
    • Language Learning
    • More Than A Fellowship
    • Beyond VELD
    • Journey Beyond
  • FAQ
  • Apply