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Student Health & Counseling Services (SHCS)

Get Involved

PAWS (Prevention, Awareness, Wellness and Safety) Peer Educators are a group of CSUSM undergraduate and graduate students who provide education to the CSUSM community related to healthy relationships, sexual assault, relationship violence, healthy masculinity, bystander intervention, stalking, and resources. PAWS are trained student assistants who work closely with the Violence Prevention Educator and HOPE & Wellness team and plan programs, workshops and co-facilitate presentations to various communities on campus (fraternities, sororities, classrooms, etc.).

PAWS -Peer Health Specialist

Rosario

Rosario Mendoza

Hi everyone! My name is Rosario Mendoza (she/her/hers/ella). I’m a graduate student at CSUSM pursuing a Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Health Education and Health Promotion. I hold a B.S. in Recreation, Parks, Hospitality, and Tourism with a focus on Child Recreation, Nonprofits, and Large-Scale Events from California State University, Northridge (CSUN), near my hometown of Downtown Los Angeles, where I still live. Before attending CSUN, I transferred from Los Angeles City College, where I earned two associate degrees (unintentionally 😊).
 
This year, I am a Peer Health Specialist and Intern at the HOPE & Wellness Center. I am passionate about de-stigmatizing mental health, and addressing sexual and domestic violence. My future career goal is to continue working in the nonprofit sector with a focus on housing and mental health, and eventually to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. As someone who is partially deaf due to a congenital illness and struggled with speech until I was 8 years old, I am dedicated to helping others find their voice, because our voices are a powerful and essential tool.
 
Outside of school and my academia work, I enjoy spending time with my fur-mily a.k.a. my four dogs (3 adults and 1 puppy), attending live concerts, going to museums to learn about art and history, traveling to Latin America, cleaning, video chats with my mom who lives in Houston, learning about different things, and trying new Icecream flavors (banana and vanilla cherry are the best!) I am honored and excited to be a part of a great program and am looking forward to meeting everyone else!

PAWS Peer Educators


Karen

Karen Antonio

Hey, y’all! My name is Karen Antonio my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a fourth-year student at CSUSM majoring in Child Development with a minor in Psychological Sciences. In the future, I plan to become a child psychologist/clinical psychologist and especially help out children with low-income backgrounds.

I am beyond excited to return to be a Sexual Peer Violence Educator and provide resources and information to others about sexual violence as well as a safe environment. Outside of school, I enjoy writing and reading books as well as hanging out with my friends eating KBBQ

Joey

Joey Valcarce

Hello, my name is Joey Valcarce. My pronouns are whatever you would like them to be. I am entering my fourth year at Cal State San Marcos. My major is Social Sciences with a primary in Psychology. I aspire to work as a therapist.

I have been working with the Safety, Health, and Sustainability Dept on campus for about a year now. I have worked with the Orientation Team and launched a new student organization last semester (Vegan Club).  I am looking forward to this grand opportunity to offer my assistance to the benevolent team of peer educators. A fun fact about myself is that I enjoy open water ocean swimming, even though I psyche myself out with ruminating thoughts about sharks while I’m out there.

Molly

Molly Gallegos

Hi everyone! I’m Molly Gallegos, a senior at CSUSM majoring in Psychology with plans to pursue a career in Sports Psychology. I’m also a member of Greek life here on campus through Alpha Omicron Pi!
As a Peer Educator with the HOPE & Wellness Center, I’m passionate about supporting and empowering students through sexual violence prevention education! I love creating safe spaces for open conversation, promoting healthy relationships, and helping my peers feel more informed and connected to the resources we have here on campus!
If you see me around campus, don’t hesitate to say hi. I love meeting new people and being part of what makes our community strong and supportive!

Apply to be a PAWS Peer Educator

To be considered for a PAWS position, you must:

  • have completed at least a second year or greater standing student at CSUSM
  • have no prior criminal convictions or Title IX findings of sexual misconduct
  • complete a Zoom interview

If selected for a position, you must agree to:

  • participate in a mandatory introductory training on August 25-28, 2026
  • co-facilitate at least two in-person or virtual presentations throughout the semester
  • participate in additional training/preparation (as needed) prior to presentations

The time commitment is 8 hours per week (on average) for one year.

Questions? Please email cnguyen@csusm.edu or moliva@csusm.edu 

Apply to be a PAWS Peer Educator