2026 Mental Health Action Week

Dr. Stephanie Cariaga, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Teacher Education Division in the College of Education, CSU Dominguez Hills

Stephanie Cariaga has served the wider Los Angeles community for about two decades as an English teacher, founding member of the People’s Education Movement, and is now an associate professor in teacher education at California State University Dominguez Hills. She is the founder of CrEW — Critical Embodied Wellness for Educators — a space of refuge, restoration, and resistance that supports radical educators to teach and lead from the wisdom of their whole selves. Her teaching and research seek to reintegrate the mind, body, and spirit into classrooms and beyond to cultivate spaces of truth-feeling and healing with marginalized students and educators. She is inspired by many teachers, including Black and Brown feminist world-makers, her ancestors, CrEW co-conspirators, and most of all: her children, Laila and Lino.

Gil Perez (he/him), LPCC, CST, NCC, CCMHC, BC-TMH

AFT 1493 CSM Chapter Chair and Negotiator, College of San Mateo CCC Mental Health & Wellness Association President-Elect 2025-Present

Gil Perez (he/him) is a tenured faculty Personal Counselor at College of San Mateo. He has served in his role as a Personal Counselor since 2016 and has transformed the mental health model at his institution to ensure students have flexible and broad mental health services that meet the full range of their mental health needs. He has integrated himself into the campus community and collaborated campus-wide with student support programs and instructional programs to deliver mental health programming that is culturally responsive and advances the educational mission, vision, and values of the college. He provides direct mental health services to students, conducts in-service trainings and consultations for faculty and staff, serves as a clinical supervisor, oversees the Mental Health Peer Educator program, and acts as the Chapter Advisor for Active Minds. He created the college’s first and only personal development course taught by Personal Counseling faculty. He has engendered trust with on-campus partners, community mental health agencies, and national organizations, strengthening collaborative relationships and referral pathways, further expanding student access to mental health support. At the state level, Gil is serving his term as President-Elect of the California Community College Mental Health & Wellness Association. Nationally, Gil was named the American College Counseling Association’s 2024 Counselor of the Year Award and NASPA’s 2023 Outstanding Peer Education Advisor Award, amongst other recognitions for the work he’s doing to serve our communities.

Dr. Laurie Vázquez Scolari, M.A., Ed.D

Vice President of Student Services at Foothill College

Dr. Laurie Scolari serves as Vice President of Student Services at Foothill College and is a lecturer at San Francisco State University, where she teaches education policy and law. She began her career as a counselor at UC Berkeley and has held leadership roles at UC Santa Cruz, including EAOP Director and GEAR UP Director, and served as Dean of Counseling and Student Support Services at City College of San Francisco. Dr. Scolari speaks on practical strategies to increase joy and productivity at work in ways that improve student outcomes.

Breathwork Session

Parisa Soltani

Professor/Counselor, EOPS/CARE/CalWORKs Office of Supportive Services/School of Guidance and Counseling, Irvine Valley College

Parisa Soltani is a full-time Counseling faculty at Irvine Valley College (IVC) and has served the EOP&S/CARE/CalWORKs and Foster Youth populations for 20 years in the CCC system. As a CCC transfer student, she completed her BA in Psychology at CSUSM and MA at SDSU’s Community-Based Block program (CBB). In 2014, Parisa earned her Ed.D. from CSUF in Educational Leadership and recently returned to SDSU to earn her Trauma-Informed Care and Restorative Justice certificate. Parisa is deeply committed to a holistic, compassionate approach to student support. As a long-time yoga and breathwork practitioner, she has spent the past two years offering free weekly breathwork sessions to the IVC community, creating accessible spaces for healing and connection.

Nadine Henley, LCSW

Supervisor of Mental Health, Citrus College

Nadine Henley, LCSW, graduated from Cal State Long Beach with her B. A. in Sociology with an emphasis in Interaction and Group Relations in 2009. She continued on to earn a master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University in 2014 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2019. While in her master’s program, she interned with San Diego State University’s Student Health Promotion and San Diego City College’s Mental Health Counseling Department. Upon graduating, Nadine accepted a mental health position working in an alcohol and drug recovery residential facility for 2 ½ years. She then joined UCSD’s Student Success Coaching Program and was soon promoted to join Academic Advising at UCSD as a Senior Academic Advisor. Furthermore, Nadine was an Adjunct Mental Health Counselor at Grossmont College, where she provided therapy and spearheaded and coordinated their brand-new mental health peer program known as Wellness Ambassadors.

Nadine most recently worked as an adjunct Mental Health Counselor at San Diego City College, Fullerton College, and Santa Rosa Junior College simultaneously, and excitedly joined Citrus College as their first Supervisor of Mental Health in 2022. As a first-generation college student, Nadine enjoys working with students to empower them to advocate for themselves while challenging students to enhance their education both inside and outside of the classroom. Nadine truly enjoys working with students, seeing them surpass their goals, while uncovering strengths within themselves that they did not know were present. Consistently practicing Cultural Humility, Nadine accepts her limitations and engages in a life-long self-reflection process to learn from individuals she interacts with as they teach her about their unique places at the intersections of their different cultures to learn about their experiences.

Dr. Lynnette Navarro Sullivan, DSW, LMFT, LPCC

Mental Health Supervisor, Moreno Valley College

Lynnette is a first-generation Mexican American college graduate and former student parent dedicated to empowering others to pursue higher education. Her academic journey began at Moreno Valley Community College, where she built a strong foundation before earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, San Bernardino. Lynnette went on to complete a Master of Counseling Psychology at California Baptist University and ultimately earned her Doctor of Social Work from the University of Southern California. Currently, Lynnette serves as a mental health supervisor at a community college and as an adjunct professor at another community college. As a licensed therapist and suicide prevention trainer, she is committed to supporting first-generation students by helping them build protective factors that reduce barriers related to academic pressures, mental health challenges, and suicidal ideation. Through her work, Lynnette strives to create pathways for student success, resilience, and long-term well-being.

Hannah Gomez

Lead, Suicide Prevention Ambassadors, Moreno Valley College – Health & Wellness Center

Hannah Gomez is a student at Moreno Valley College and an incoming Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) student at California State University, San Bernardino. As a student parent, former foster youth, and the spouse of a veteran, her experiences have shaped her passion for helping others navigate challenges and find support. Hannah currently serves as the Lead Suicide Prevention Ambassador at her campus Health and Wellness Center, where she leads outreach efforts, supports wellness programming, and mentors fellow ambassadors. Hannah also co-facilitates wellness groups and student-parent groups, creating safe and supportive spaces where students can connect, feel heard, and access resources. My goal is to become a social worker while continuing to advocate for mental health and ensure individuals feel supported and connected to the resources they need.

Diana Cusumano Gerring, L.M.H.C., N.C.C.

Senior Director, Higher Education Programs for the JED Foundation

Diana Cusumano Gerring is the Senior Director of Higher Education Programs and has been working at The Jed Foundation for 9 years. While at JED, Diana oversees the signature JED Campus and JED Campus Fundamental programs and the team of JED consultants who work directly with colleges and universities nationwide. Prior to working at JED, Diana was employed at The College of Westchester as the Director of Counseling/Assistant Dean of Academic Services. In this role, Diana helped to strengthen the counseling center by adding clinicians, updating policies and procedures, developing and chairing the institution’s behavioral intervention team, providing clinical counseling to students as well as supervision and oversight to part time counseling center staff. Diana also held Dean level responsibilities and oversaw student academic advising as needed, conduct issues and the satisfactory academic progress standards every semester for students. Diana holds her Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from Pace University and New York, New Jersey and Connecticut state clinical licenses in mental health counseling. She is a 500 hour registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance, specializing in vinyasa, restorative yoga, yin yoga. She is trained in teaching meditation/mindfulness from the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults.

Nicole Rodriguez Mullis, LPC, NCC

Senior Consultant, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for the JED Foundation

Nicole serves as a Senior JED Campus Advisor at The Jed Foundation (JED). In this role, she provides supervision and support to JED Campus Consultants and contributes to the development and implementation of JED Campus program work in higher education. Before joining JED, Nicole worked at The University of Montevallo as a Mental Health Counselor, where she provided individual and group counseling, crisis services, served as a Title IX advocate, and facilitated mental health training initiatives. Nicole holds a Master’s of Education in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health from The University of Montevallo, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Auburn University.

Breathwork Session

Candice Rose Valenzuela, MA, YT-200 (they/them/she/her)

Candice Rose Valenzuela proudly identifies as Black, Mexican Indigenous Descent, Queer, Nonbinary, poor, and working class allied. As a former foster youth, Candice utilizes their personal experiences of marginalization, survival, and healing to inspire transformative thinking, creative problem-solving, and social change in the communities they serve. Against many odds, Candice earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities at Loyola Marymount University, a teaching credential from Alliant University, a Master of Arts in East-West Psychology, and a Master’s in Integral Counseling Psychology at the California Institute for Integral Studies. Candice is certified as a trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness instructor through the Niroga Institute and has training in Mesoamerican indigenous healing practices through Ancestral Apothecary in Oakland, CA. Candice has worked at the intersections of education, healing, and justice for over 20 years. Candice believes that ancestral, community, and ecological healing are the most urgent issues of our time. They coach systems leaders, offer healing space, and facilitate professional development at justice-driven institutions throughout the nation. When they are not working, Candice enjoys sharing their enthusiasm for nature with their 9-year-old daughter.
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Lacey Peters, M.A., LMFT

Mental Health Counselor, Santa Barbara City College

Lacey is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 23 years of experience in the behavioral health field. She currently serves as a Mental Health Counselor and faculty member in the Student Health and Wellness Department at Santa Barbara City College, where she also coordinates the Substance-Related Counseling and Education Program (Anchor Program). In addition, she chairs the Addictive Disorders Counseling Department, mentoring and teaching students who are passionate about working in the field of addiction and recovery.

An experienced and dedicated clinician, Lacey is deeply committed to promoting mental health and overall wellness. She specializes in working with adolescents, college-aged young adults, and adults, and has extensive experience supporting individuals, families, and couples. Her clinical background spans a wide range of settings, including inpatient psychiatric care, public school systems serving at-risk youth, after-school programs, substance use treatment in both inpatient and outpatient environments, and college campus mental health services. Lacey remains committed to ongoing professional growth and continues to expand her expertise in the evolving field of behavioral health.

Susan Nilles, MSN, RN, FNP

Faculty Coordinator of Student Health Services at El Camino College & HSACCC, Treasurer, 2020-Present

Susan Nilles earned a B.A. in psychology from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in nursing from Samuel Merritt University. She also holds a post-master’s certification from Western University of Health Sciences as a family nurse practitioner. Susan is also certified as an emergency nurse, a public health nurse and a nurse practitioner. She has served as an Executive Board Member and Treasurer for Health Services Association of California Community Colleges (HSACCC), a statewide professional organization supported by the CCCCO, since 2020. Her hospital specialties before college health include the emergency department and critical care units. Her teaching experience in nursing includes didactic and clinical rotations in medical/ surgical nursing, emergency/disaster nursing and public health nursing. Susan started college health nursing as a Registered Nurse at Fullerton College and has been the Faculty Coordinator of Student Health Services at El Camino College since 2016.

Amanda Smith, LCSW

Associate Dean, Student Health and Wellness Center, Crafton College

Amanda Smith, LCSW, brings over 19+ years of experience in mental health services, crisis intervention, wellness programming, and leadership. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to supporting underserved and diverse communities, including first-generation students, at-risk populations, and healthcare providers. She has served in a variety of clinical and leadership roles across hospital and academic settings, including inpatient psychiatric social worker, Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator, and Section Chief Supervisor overseeing inpatient and emergency department teams.

Most recently, at the UC Riverside School of Medicine, Amanda served as Director of Medical Student Support & Wellness, where she developed wellbeing curriculum focused on fostering resilience and wellbeing in future physicians. Amanda currently serves as Associate Dean of Health and Wellness at Crafton Hills College, where she continues to champion holistic, student-centered approaches to care. She is a certified meditation instructor through Gaja Collective and has extensive training in mindfulness, compassion fatigue, and mentoring. Amanda believes in the deep connection between emotional, physical, and social wellbeing. She is passionate about creating meaningful, transformative change for individuals, teams, and communities.

Breathwork Session

Jessica Samples, M.A.

Co-Create Calm

Jessica is a mindfulness and meditation practitioner who coaches adults to deepen in presence and grow their mindfulness muscle. This often involves the challenging task of (re)starting a consistent meditation practice—and Jess provides the necessary tools, techniques, and support for you to experience the transformative benefits of mindfulness and make the habit and/or new mindset stick. Jess holds a M.A. in Women, Gender, Spirituality and Social Justice from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and mindfulness teacher certifications from Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults, and International Mindfulness Teacher’s Association.

She offers Mindfulness-Based Women’s Circles throughout the year, and works one-on-one (and in groups and teams) with adults within a wide range of intersecting identities. She is a trauma-sensitive and (self)healing-centered practitioner with over 15 years of mentoring and companioning people as they journey through this sacred, sometimes impossible-feeling life. www.cocreatecalm.com

Oriana Ides (she/her), MA, LPCCI, PPS

Oriana Ides is a School Mental Health Training Specialist at the Center for Applied Research Solutions in the Staff and Student Wellbeing program stream, where she leads initiatives focused on youth and young adult mental health, reflective inquiry, provider wellness, grief-healing programs, and decolonial approaches to substance use and recovery. Oriana has extensive experience working with young people across various life stages, from elementary school through college, as well as care providers and families serving in various roles such as school and community-based therapist, educator, school leader, and program director. As a therapist, caregiver, and community member committed to healing justice, Oriana aims to help youth, and their families develop sustainable healing options and equip them with tools to overcome systemic and personal challenges.

Regardless of her role, Oriana’s work is always rooted in cultivating and protecting both individual and collective safety, belonging, and dignity. She is committed to generating healing within individuals, family systems, school structures, and extended networks of support, while also working to challenge the harmful impact of systemic injustice, structures, and policies. Her work to forge a more just world is motivated by and dedicated to Amilca Ysabel Mouton Fuentes.

Leora Wolf-Prusan (She/hers), EdD

Leora Wolf-Prusan (She/hers), EdD, is a Managing Director for Student & Staff Wellbeing at the Center for Applied Research Solutions, where she serves as the Project Director for Behavioral Health Student Support Services Act Statewide Training and Coordinator for California’s Commission for Behavioral Health, among other projects. She is the founder and former director of the School Crisis Recovery & Renewal project, and as the. Previous roles include the school mental health field director for the Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) and the national field director of a SAMHSA initiative (ReCAST – Resilience in Communities After Stress and Trauma), as well as technical assistance for the Student Mental Health Program for California’s Community Colleges, and more.

Wolf-Prusan is dedicated to work focused on educator mental health, wellness, and trauma-informed approaches to education and operates through a framework in which public health, social work, and education intersect. Her research examined the impact of student death on teachers, what factors contribute to teachers building resiliency, and what supports teachers need from the school system in the event of a student homicide or other traumas. She received a BA in international relations and a BA in Spanish with a minor in Social & Ethnic Relations from the University of California, Davis; a teaching credential from Mills College; and an EdD in educational leadership from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her work is motivated by and dedicated to educators and youth who envision schools as a platform for community and connection.

Ashley Singleton (she/her), MPH, PMP

Ashley Singleton is a Senior Project Manager at the Center for Applied Research Solutions (CARS), where she supports statewide and national initiatives focused on child, family, and community well-being. Her work spans mental health, harm reduction, positive youth development, and injury and violence prevention—always with a focus on building and uplifting communities. Her background includes health education with youth and young adults, managing evaluation for statewide programs, and supporting public health departments in their work with local communities.

Ashley brings a public health and project management lens to her work, along with a strategic mindset and a deep appreciation for the people doing the work on the ground. She focuses on turning big ideas into practical tools—leading cross-sector projects, convenings, and learning experiences that help systems better serve children and families. She believes in the power of connection—between systems, communities, and people—and works to create spaces where that connection can lead to real, lasting impact.