EDU-TOPIA
Cynthia received her BA in Political Science/International Relations from UCLA and her JD from UCLA's School of Law. During law school, she developed her famous round-house kick to the school's aging vending machines guaranteeing her a constant supply of sugary treats.
As a TV journalist, Cynthia won three Emmy Awards for her reporting from the US, Asia and Latin America with eye-witness coverage of teen gangs; the affects of globalization and relations between Asia and America; and coverage of the illegal immigration debate while following undocumented immigrants as they crossed the US-Mexico border.
Cynthia has interviewed everyone from Oprah Winfrey to reporting on death-row inmates as a selected witness to the execution at San Quentin's infamous prison. As a street reporter, she covered crime in Oakland and Richmond, CA, listed as two of the most dangerous cities in America. For more than a decade, Cynthia appeared in living rooms around the country as a News Anchor and/or Reporter for the FOX, ABC, CBS affiliates in Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Sacramento--and yes--even Bakersfield, CA where she got up bright and early as the "farm reporter". Early in her career, she filled-in as the host on KABC-TV's Channel 7 Los Angeles' top newsmagazine show "Eye on L.A." and was a Host on E! Entertainment Television in Los Angeles. In each city, Cynthia received top honors by Asian American groups for her contributions to local communities.
Cynthia reported for the national PRI news radio show Pacific Time produced out of San Francisco's KQED-FM. The show explores the connections between the US and Asia. The National Asian American Journalist Association honored her with the "National Award" for her reporting there. The Public Radio News Directors also awarded Pacific Time with the "Best Large Market Public Affairs Program" for a show which spotlighted Cynthia's reporting on how the Korean American community has fared 10 years after the Los Angeles riots. In Philadelphia, Cynthia hosted and produced "Asian Outlook", a half-hour talk show focused on the social, legal and political issues facing Asians and Asian Americans for WYBE Public Television. The Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters honored her show as the "Best TV Talk Show in the State."
