Meet Your Support Squad!

Denise Ocampo President

Year:  Senior Major:  Biomedical Science / Chemistry Minor Hometown:  Maui, Hawaii Hello!  My name is Denise and I am a Biomedical Science major graduating in Fall 2020.  One day, I want to be a neonatal doctor.  I also participate in undergraduate research, a variety of clubs, and am a student worker at NAU. I am passionate about mental health because I have seen family, friends, and fellow students battle with issues and I want to become a better resource for them.  I hope I can use what I learn through the Mental Health Support Squad to become a better leader, friend, and person.

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Dylan Cole Vice President

Year: Freshman Major: Biomedical Science and Spanish / Psychological Sciences Minor Hometown: Mesa, Arizona Yooo! I'm Dylan! I'm a student of the Interdisciplinary Global Program (IGP), and a member of Adventure InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in addition to the Mental Health Support Squad. I am planning to study abroad during the 2022-2023 academic year and graduate in Spring 2024. I'm an avid hiker, snowboarder, and I'm a spoken word poet with huge interest in literature, philosophy, and writing!!! I am passionate about mental health wellness, and am looking to offer myself to people in a manner allowed by my current scope of knowledge through peer mentoring. In the future, I aspire to expand my scope and practice in psychiatry following a medical school track.

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Allison Newman Secretary

Year: Junior Major: Psychological Sciences / Sociology Minor Hometown: Temecula, California Hello! My name is Allison (Allie) and I am a junior graduating in Spring 2021. I want to become a school counselor and eventually open up my own practice to help kids. I also participate in undergraduate research and work on campus. I like to be outdoors, snowboard, and go hiking. I am passionate about mental health because of personal hardships and experiences, and I want to help others that feel like they are in the same position as I once found myself. I hope that I can use what I learn through my involvement in the Mental Health Support Squad to become a better supporter, friend, student, and family member.

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Dina Ross Treasurer / Event Planner

Year: Freshman Major: Psychological Sciences (emphasis in Clinical / Health Psychology) Hometown: Simi Valley, California Hi! My name is Dina Ross, and I am a Psychological Sciences major at the beginning of my academic journey. I moved to Flagstaff from Phoenix in early 2020, and have fallen in love with nature. I am attending NAU to pursue a career in clinical psychology. I aspire to work in a psychiatric hospital and obtain a Doctorate of Psychology. Mental health is a huge part of my life and a longtime passion of mine. My goal as a member of the Mental Health Support Squad is to provide a compassionate and safe space for all students.

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Olivia Vaerini Public Relations Manager

Year: Freshman Major: Elementary Education / Psychological Sciences Minor Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, California Hi friends! My name is Olivia, and I am an Honors student pursuing an Elementary Education major. I will be graduating in Spring 2023. I plan on beginning my career as a teacher in a 1st or 2nd grade classroom and eventually getting my Master's and Doctorate in Educational Psychology to become a school counselor! In addition to the Mental Health Support Squad, I am also a member of InterVarsity, an on-campus Christian group where I have met most of my current friends. I am very passionate about mental health because it is something that I have dealt with as well as something that a number of my family members and friends have dealt with for years. I joined the Mental Health Support Squad so that I can help work toward breaking the stigma associated with mental health. I believe that this is something that nobody should be ashamed of dealing with, and by breaking the stigma, I feel that students will be more willing to come forward and share their experiences.

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Xochilt Aguiniga

Year: Junior Major: Psychological Sciences (BA) Hometown: North Hills, California Hello! My name is Xochilt |So-chi-l| and I am a Psychological Sciences major with a language requirement in Spanish. I am planning to graduate in Spring 2021. I want to earn my degree and become a counselor, working in underserved communities such as Hispanic communities and communities with large veteran populations. In addition to being a Mental Health Support Squad member, I am also a member of the NAU Psychology Club. Growing up the daughter of Mexican immigrants and in Hispanic communities, I am always pushing for mental health support in communities that have a lack of these services. ¡Hola! Mi nombre es Xochilt y estudio psicología y español. Estoy planeando graduarme en la primavera de 2021. Quiero ser consejero y trabajar en comunidades desatendidas, como comunidades hispanas y comunidades de veteranos. También soy miembro del club de Psicología en la universidad. Siendo la hija de inmigrantes mexicanos y viviendo en comunidades hispanas, siempre estoy presionando por el apoyo de salud mental en comunidades que tienen una falta de estos servicios.

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Brooke Claverie

Year: Sophomore Major: Psychological Sciences / Anthropology Minor Hometown: Los Angeles, California Hi there! My name is Brooke and I'm a Psychological Sciences major who will be graduating in Spring 2022. I'm pursuing a career in research with a focus on neuropsychology. I care about mental health partially because of my major, but also because I understand how it feels to need a friend in a time of stress. I want to be that friend for anyone who needs me because no one should feel alone, especially when they're feeling down. Through my involvement in the Mental Health Support Squad, I hope I can provide support for students, the campus community, and anyone else who may need it.

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Kaelyn Darst

Year: Sophomore Major: Public Health / Health and Wellness Coaching Minor Hometown: Chino Valley, Arizona Hello! My name is Kaelyn and I am studying Health Sciences here at NAU. I changed my major from Graphic Design to Public Health earlier this year, and I will be graduating in Spring 2022. When I graduate, I want to work in the field of maternal and child health helping young children and expectant parents with important health challenges including nutrition, emotional wellness, physical fitness, growth, development, and many other things. I love camping, fishing, babies, animals, and talking to people about pretty much anything! I joined the Mental Health Support Squad to help my fellow students, friends, and family with their struggles and to become an advocate of mental health who can provide resources to those looking for guidance.

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Mariana Gutierrez

Year: Sophomore Major: Health Sciences: Fitness and Wellness / Biology Minor Hometown: Tucson, Arizona Hello, my name is Mariana Gutierrez, and I am a Health Sciences: Fitness and Wellness Major. I am currently a sophomore. One of the many reasons why I chose to come to NAU is because of the beauty that Flagstaff has to offer. I am a member of the Mental Health Support Squad because I think mental health is a very important topic, and we shouldn't be afraid to talk about it; a lot of people are effected by mental health issues, even if they are not the ones struggling.

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Selena Hernandez

Year: Senior Major: Psychological Sciences / Social Work and Spanish Minors Hometown: Fontana, California Hi! I'm Selena and I'm a Psychological Sciences major graduating in Fall 2020. My goal is to get a Master's degree in Social Work and to work with children/adolescents, and eventually move into policy. I enjoy photography, listening to music, and drinking lots of coffee. I became a member of the Mental Health Support Squad because I want to develop the skills needed to speak with others about mental health and the significance it has on our wellbeing. Having had various personal experiences with mental health struggles, I've become passionate about finding ways to support others and being there for those who need someone to talk to. I'm excited to be part of a group of likeminded students working to spread more awareness surrounding mental health and wellness to the NAU community.

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Samantha Spina

Year: Junior Major: Biomedical Science / Chemistry and Psychological Sciences Minor Hometown: Cave Creek, Arizona Hi everyone! My name is Samantha Spina. I am a Biomedical Science major graduating in Spring 2021. I am hoping to become a pediatric emergency medicine doctor. I struggle with mental health issues, and I hope to help others who do as well. I went through a really hard time in Fall 2019, and I had to go through it alone. I want to be there for anyone who needs someone to reach out to. I hope to hear from you guys soon!

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Jacqueline Talley

Year: Freshman Major: Business Marketing Hometown: Lino Lakes, Minnesota Hello everyone! My name is Jacqueline, but please call me Jacquie. Here at NAU, I participate in campus events, adventure outside a lot, and frequently use the gym facilities. I love to hang out with my friends and try new things, meet new people, and learn new things. I joined the Mental Health Support Squad to become more connected to my school community and to help others in their unseen struggles. Everyone has a different story, and you never know what's really going on with someone until you ask. I want to be around to listen!

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Noemy Venegas

Year: Junior Major: Communication Science Disorders / Psychological Sciences Minor Hometown: Kingman, Arizona Hello! My name is Noemy |no-me|. I am a junior, and will be graduating in Spring 2021. My goal is to get my Master's degree in Speech Pathology and work in schools with children. I joined the Mental Health Support Squad because, as someone who suffers from mental health problems myself, I know how important it is to talk to someone who will listen. I hope I can be someone's person when they need it most.

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Mackenzie Westover

Year: Sophomore Major: Psychological Sciences / Health and Wellness Coaching Minor Hometown: Riverside, California Hey! My name is Mackenzie Westover, and I am excited to be a member of the Mental Health Support Squad. With my degree in Psychological Sciences, I am thinking about becoming either a school counselor, sports psychologist, or psychologist. I joined the Mental Health Support Squad program because I have friends and family members who have been diagnosed or are struggling with mental health issues. I am hoping to become a better sibling and daughter as a result of training and helping my peers. I am also hoping to gain more experience from my involvement in the Mental Health Support Squad in order to help others in the future!