HOPE & Wellness Team

Anahi Martinez Mendez

Hi! My name is Anahi Martinez, and my pronouns are she/her/ella. I am a first-year graduate student in the Master of Social Work program at CSUSM. I am passionate about mental health awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. My lived experiences have empowered me to pursue a master’s in social work to advocate for mental health for children and adolescents within schools. I aspire to become a school social worker or a therapist. 

Some fun facts about me are that I like collecting stickers for my sticker book and collecting stationery items (washi tapes, notepads, etc.)! My hobbies include watching K-dramas, listening to music, spending time with loved ones, and baking.

Jaqueline Lucas  

Ja'Mae Ellison

Hey! My name is Ja'Mae, pronouns she/her/hers. I'm a third-year majoring in Psychological science. I aspire to be a Psychologist. This is my second year working with the Hope & Wellness Center and my first year as a Hope lead peer educator.

I'm so excited to be able to educate and inform students about health and the resources available to them. Outside of school, you can find me painting, learning a new hobby, or at the beach. 

 

 

Madison Di Palermo

Hey everyone! My name is Madison Di Palermo and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a transfer student at CSUSM, and I graduate this fall (finally!!). I major in Psychological Science and I hope to one day earn my PsyD where I can have my own practice that specializes in trauma-informed care. I am returning to this program as a Lead HOPE Peer Health Educator and I am so excited to continue to connect with the CSUSM community, promote education about mental, physical, and sexual health, as well as kindness and understanding amongst each other!

As a Lead HOPE Peer Health Educator I aspire to help others, advocate, and educate about mental health. Hopefully I can be the kind and helpful person for others that I didn't have when I needed it. Sometimes it only takes one person to smile and ask about your day in order to make a difference!

Some fun facts about me are that I'm from Hemet, CA and I commute to campus from my hometown, I'm the oldest of three sisters, I enjoy reading, cooking/baking, playing video games, watching The Office or Attack on Titan (AOT), and visiting farmers markets in my free time. I wish everyone an amazing year here at CSUSM!

Taylor Huerta

Hi everyone, my name is Taylor Huerta (she/her/hers) and I am returning this year at the HOPE & Wellness Center as a HOPE Lead Peer Educator! Starting my senior year I am excited for the upcoming events and opportunities to be an advocate for mental health, sexual violence, substance misuse, and more. I also hope to start a MSW program after I graduate this Spring!!

I am a Social Sciences major, minoring in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies. I am from the Bay Area, and I love going to the beach, going thrifting, and painting. I also have two cats: Charlie and Juno! My favorite movies are Inside Out & Perks of Being a Wallflower. Can’t wait to connect with everyone!

Amy Ojeda

Hi! My name is Amy Vanessa Ojeda (she/her) and I am a 4th year Psychology major with hopes of becoming an LMFT. This year, I am an intern HOPE Peer Health Educator and I’m really looking forward to working with SHCS! I am always looking for ways to live a healthier lifestyle and I can’t wait to share my knowledge with others.

I love going to concerts, watching the sunset while on a walk, listening to music as much as possible, and trying new makeup products. I also love roadtrips and traveling, especially when I can identify different plants and flowers along the way! Overall, I enjoy going with the flow and I’m always open to new adventures.

Ariana Jorden

Hi! My name is Ariana Jorden (She/Her/Hers) and I am a CSUSM transfer student, majoring in Public Health with a minor in Media Studies. I'm a proud Palomar College graduate, which is where my passion for helping people access mental health and wellness resources was discovered in my role as a peer mentor for the school's Health Services Depatment. I'm excited to pour that passion into being a HOPE peer educator for CSUSM! After completing my Bachelor's degree, I plan to go on to grad school. I hope to work as a health educator and also develop content and campaigns educating the public about health and wellness. 

One way that I practice self-care is making myself a nice, warm cup of tea in the evenings to unwind. Hobbies/nterests of mine include walking and hiking, journaling, makeup, listening to music, creating art, fashion, watching movies and learning new recipes. My favorite drinks are coffee, lemonade and apple juice. Also, I LOVE the color pink and consistently wear it, so you'll probably spot me easily on campus!

I'm looking forward to advocating for mental health and helping students become informed about different health topics. I'm excited to do marketing for the resources at SHCS to help students get connected to them, as well as other great resources on campus! Have a great year, Cougars! 

Evan Rangel

Hello! My name is Evan Rangel and I’m a third year Public Health major, and I’m passionate about Public Health and mental health awareness! As a peer health educator I would like to spread awareness on sexual health and substance abuse prevention. Outside of school I enjoy watching sports, going to concerts & music events, and working out. In the future I would like to work in healthcare or just generally helping others out!

Julianne Morales

Hello, I’m Julie! This is my second year at the HOPE Center and I am a HOPE Peer Educator this year. I am excited to take on the responsibilities and the opportunities that come with my role, and I cannot wait to spread the word on what we can offer students. I am passionate about supporting my peers and making a positive change in people’s health, and I feel that I can do that here.

In my free time I love to surf, read, and play video games. If you see me out on campus, working or not, come say hello!

Serena Correa

Hello, my name is Serena Correa, and I am a fourth-year Psychology student at CSUSM. This is my first year working with SHCS, and I am truly excited to have the opportunity to support my community in meaningful ways. I am passionate about helping others feel heard and understood, and I believe strongly in destigmatizing mental health by fostering open conversations and creating safe spaces for healing.

After graduation, I plan to continue my education in graduate school and pursue a career as a therapist specializing in Art Therapy, where I hope to combine creativity with compassion to help individuals express themselves and grow.

I also prioritize self-care and know how important it is for overall well-being. Some of the ways I practice self-care include exercising, connecting with nature through hiking and walking, listening to music, and engaging in creative outlets. These practices not only help me recharge but also remind me of the importance of balance when supporting others.

Candy Cortes

Hi! My name is Candelaria Cortes, but I go by Candy (she/her/hers). I’m currently a fourth year Psychology major. As a first-generation Mexican-American and college student, I’m familiar with the challenges that come with navigating higher education and the stigma surrounding mental health. My primary passion within psychology lies in exploring intersectionality and how it influences both mental and physical well-being. After earning my B.A. in Psychology, I plan to pursue a Master’s in Social Work at CSUSM with the goal of becoming a therapist.

I believe that advocacy is one of the strongest tools we have, which is why I’m super excited to be part of the SHCS community! My HOPE is to continue uplifting our CSUSM peers and help foster a space where they feel seen and supported.

One of my favorite ways to recharge and stay grounded is by creating art. I love painting and doing fun crafts with my niece and nephew:).

Jazzlyn Ramos

Hi my name is Jazzlyn (she/her)! I am a senior at California State University San Marcos majoring in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Health Sciences. I am passionate about health, wellness, and public health, and I hope to pursue a career in promoting healthy lifestyles, wellness education, and preventive health practices within the community.

As a HOPE & Wellness intern I am truly excited to be part of a team that supports students and uplifts our campus community. I love being able to connect with others through health promotion, share helpful resources, and encourage overall well-being. It’s meaningful to me to create a positive impact while growing in the field I’m so passionate about. Some of my favorite things to do in my free time are traveling and cooking.

Cassie Stillman

Hi, I’m Cassandra, but you can call me Cassie. I am senior here at CSUSM majoring in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Criminology and Justice Studies. My goal is to become a forensic civil investigator and conduct research on concepts of trauma and healing in populations impacted by the criminal justice system.

In my free time, I love reading nonfiction, spending time with my dog and two cats, gardening, and watching anything Bravo.

I’m excited to be a Healthy Cougar Peer Educator, where I get to support and educate my peers in making healthy choices. I’m also really looking forward to getting to know you all and being a resource you can count on throughout the year.

Erika Gomez

Hi, my name is Erika Gomez, and I am in my final year at California State University San Marcos, majoring in Psychology. My career goal is to become a clinical or counseling psychologist specializing in working with children and adolescents. After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school to earn my master’s degree, which will allow me to provide therapy and support to young people in need.

I am also excited to be serving as a HOPE Peer Educator, where I can share resources, support others, and gain valuable experience that will prepare me for my future career.

 

Shamira Altamirano

 

 

Yareli Albino Bautista

Hello everyone! My name is Yareli Albino, I am a 4th year Business Administration major with an emphasis in Management and Organizations. In the future, I plan to pursue a Master’s in Healthcare Administration with the career goal of becoming a Hospital Administrator.

This is my first year working with SHCS as a Peer Educator! However, I have been working in public health prevention programs and organizations since middle school. I have a passion for serving others and I truly enjoy finding ways to make a positive impact in my community.