Yongjie’s nonprofit and community-based experience comes from over four years at ARYSE (Alliance for Refugee Youth Support and Education), working directly with immigrant and refugee youth in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At ARYSE, Yongjie developed and facilitated programs on personal, professional, and academic growth, centering creative expression and cultural celebration. Additionally, he founded ARYSE’s LGBTQIA+ Initiative and its flagship program the Queer Youth Space, advocating for queer immigrant and refugee youth. Yongjie holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics-Statistics and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from the University of Pittsburgh.