

Experience and Expertise
When I was 19, I was put at risk for contracting HIV. I've always been close with my family, but because none of us had had comprehensive sexual health education growing up, I had no one to turn to for facts or treatment or testing options. Like any good teenager, I turned to the internet for answers and wound up speaking with an expert at a government-funded sexual health education resource. Crying on the phone, I realized I never wanted any other person to experience the paralyzing fear that wracked my body. I decided I needed to create a safe, educationally-based space where anybody could seek answers for anything. I became a certified peer educator and sexual health instructor so that I could give back to the community and assure that all people have a place to go when they need answers.
Work Experience
Bachelor's of Science: Psychology
Bachelor's of Arts: Ethnic Studies
Certified Peer Educator - NASPA
Planned Parenthood Comprehensive Sex Education for Educators
CREWS Peer Educator, Facilitator, Organizer
I went into my undergraduate years at Colorado State University (CSU) as a declared Psychology major. I completed research projects, papers, and studies and chose to stay with a General Psychology concentration in order to be able to explore the most avenues in my studies. I declared a minor in Ethnic Studies my second year and declared an Ethnic Studies major my third year, graduating after 4.5 years with both a Bachelor's of Science and Bachelor's of Arts degree.
During my time at CSU, I joined a student-led, student-facilitated, university-backed program called CREWS (Creating a Respectful Environment With/for Students), a peer educator program focused on educating students about safer sex and drug use (including alcohol) and practices surrounding risk reduction. I earned my Peer Education Certificate through NASPA, an organization focused on fostering inclusive and supportive environments in higher education. The NASPA certification covered important areas such as motivational interviewing, conflict resolution, and the Stages of Change model. During my second year in CREWS, I co-taught the NASPA course and led activities on- and off-campus to help engage students in learning about safer sexual practices like condom use and STI prevention.
Through Planned Parenthood's online certification program, I earned these certificates:
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Effective Sex Education
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Inclusive Sex Education
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Trauma-Informed Sex Education
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Supporting Healthier Relationships as an Educator
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Discussion and Answering Difficult Questions
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Sexual Harassment for Educators
CREWS peer education platform allowed me to engage with students from all over CSU's campuses through various activities such as Sex Trivia, condom roses, football game merch tables, and more. I co-taught the NASPA course and facilitated many of the activities I listed above throughout my time as an active CREWS member, allowing me to get hands-on experience discussing uncomfortable topics, finding solutions, and providing resources with youth and adults alike.