Meet Our Coaches

All of our health coaches complete a minimum of 45 hours of training in health coaching techniques. The UCAN health coaches are upper division undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing careers in health fields.

Just like you, they often struggle to manage their studies, work obligations, extra curricular activities and health-supporting self-care patterns. Our health coaches don’t have perfect diets or exercise habits. They can empathize with the stressors of college life and will work with you to help you achieve your health goals.

Health coaches are experts at supporting clients through the behavior change process. Health coaches are not personal trainers and they aren’t dietitians. They provide counseling services to support you in whatever changes you’re interested in making.

Spring 2025 UCAN Health Coaches

Abi Lee

Abi is a Junior in the Fitness-wellness program at NAU and a passionate per-occupational therapy student. She enjoys reading, watching Disney movies, hiking, and taking cycling classes for fun. Through her pre-OT studies and Health Coaching, she has developed a strong belief that everyone has unique needs that should be taken into consideration when working on improving healthy living. As a health coach, she is passionate about helping others discover personalized ways to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Cass Rikkers

Cass Rikkers is a senior at Northern Arizona University, studying Psychology with a minor in Nutrition. Her passion for holistic health and nutrition was sparked by her own health challenges over the years. She believes in the importance of self-appreciation and listening to one’s body and is dedicated to helping others build sustainable habits while fostering self-confidence and self-love. Outside of UCAN, Cass enjoys cooking, exploring coffee shops, and making art.

Rachel Chazan

Rachel is a student in the MPH Nutrition program at NAU and hopes to become a Registered Dietitian in her future. She is from Anthem, Arizona and in her free time, she loves to cook, go outdoors, and take her dog Noodle on walks. She is very passionate about helping people learn how to listen to their bodies to create an amazing relationship with food and exercise.

Grace Gilmore

Grace is an undergraduate student currently studying Nutrition & Foods with a minor in Health & Wellness Coaching. Although Grace has had a rather unconventional journey to earning her degree, she is proud to share that her own health challenges have further solidified her interest in helping others. Originally from Sedona, Arizona, Grace grew up enjoying the outdoors and still loves to be outside to this day. Outside of UCAN, Grace works at the hospital in town. Ultimately, Grace hopes to foster a wholistic health care environment that promotes listening to and supporting one’s own body cues.

Jack Henley

Jack is a first-year MPH Nutrition student at NAU. Prior to pursuing this degree, Jack worked as a software engineer as well as a backcountry ski guide and avalanche educator in Jackson, WY. Outside of school and work, Jack enjoys climbing, dancing, and pottery. He is passionate about food as a source of individual and community health, and is excited to help others achieve their health goals in a safe and comfortable environment.

Marco Cazzato

Marco is a senior at NAU pursuing bachelor degrees in Fitness & Wellness as well as Nutrition and Foods. He is from Tucson, Arizona and was drawn to Flagstaff for the diverse seasons, incredible outdoors, and strong community. In his free time Marco enjoys weight lifting, snowboarding, camping, cooking, video games, anime, and movies. Marco plans on pursuing a career as a registered dietitian and personal trainer helping others learn more about wellness and reach their health goals.

Sara Vaughn

Sarah is a senior here at NAU majoring in Fitness/Wellness and has aspirations of becoming an Athletic Trainer. Passionate about empowering others to achieve their goals, she is dedicated to fostering positive relationships with food and exercise. Originally from Gilbert, Arizona, Sarah enjoys walking at Buffalo Park, cooking, baking, and reading in her free time. In addition to her role as a UCAN health coach, she serves as a fitness instructor at the HLC on campus, where she inspires others to lead active, healthy lifestyles.

UCAN Leadership

Carly Ross

UCAN Client Manager

Carly is a senior at NAU studying Nutrition with a minor in Psychology. She is from Orange County California and enjoys spending time at the beach, reading, cooking and hiking. The focus for her as a health coach is to connect with clients and provide a safe and comfortable environment which inspires them to make the lifestyle changes that they want.

Kailey Cooper

UCAN Promotion Manager

Kailey Cooper is currently a senior majoring in Religious Studies and minoring in Health and Wellness Coaching. From Gilbert, Arizona, Kailey is a certified Ashtanga-Vinyasa yoga teacher who loves to hike, play her guitar, and make yummy vegan food. She is passionate in helping clients reach their health and wellness goals through a holistic approach that focuses on all dimensions of well-being. She aims for each client to leave each session feeling proud about themselves and confident in moving forward to reach their goals.

Bekah Jaeger

UCAN Health Coach Manager

Bekah Jaeger is a senior here at NAU studying Nutrition and Foods. She is from Maricopa, Arizona and enjoys living in Northern Arizona for the hiking, paddle boarding, snowboarding, and other outdoor activities that are available up here. Bekah also enjoys reading, cooking, playing with her two cats, and doing yoga. Bekah plans on pursuing a career as a registered dietitian and looks forward to helping others create a positive relationship with food and achieve their goals.

Dawn Clifford, PhD, RD

UCAN Director

Dr. Clifford is a Professor in the Health Sciences Department. She’s a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers and author of the book 5-Minute MI: Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Health When Time is Short and co-author of the book, Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Fitness. Dr. Clifford teaches courses in Nutrition Education and Counseling and Lifecycle Nutrition. She conducts research in non-diet, weight inclusive approaches to health and well-being and behavior change counseling.

Natalie Papini, PhD, MA

UCAN Interim Director

Natalie Papini is an Assistant Professor in the Health Sciences Department. She teaches courses for undergraduates in fitness wellness and graduate students in the interdisciplinary health PhD program. She conducts research in the areas of weight stigma, body image, and self-compassion and previously worked in the health coaching industry.

Nikole Squires

UCAN Assistant Director

Nikole Squires is a lecturer in the department of Health Sciences and doctoral student in the Interdisciplinary Health PhD program at NAU. She conducts research in the areas of intuitive eating, body image, eating disorder recovery, and non-diet, weight-inclusive healthcare and fitness. Nikole is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor (CIEC), Licensed and Certified Athletic Trainer (LAT, ATC), and National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). In her free time, Nikole enjoys listening to podcasts, reading, spending time with friends and family, and going for walks, runs, hikes, and bike rides.

Megan Meyer, MPH, RD

UCAN Assistant Director

Megan Meyer is Lecturer in the Health Sciences Department. She teaches courses on lifecycle nutrition, foodservice management, and culinary courses. Megan holds a culinary degree from Johnson & Whales. Megan’s expertise includes culinary nutrition, pediatric nutrition, eating disorders, and public health and prevention. She worked for 7 years as the campus dietitian for NAU, which included work with projects that focus on addressing food insecurity, the implementation of the Healthier Campus Initiative, and the development of Live Well NAU.