Our MHP team is made up of 20 undergraduate students who have been trained and are supervised by our mental health professionals.

The Mental Health Peers are students just like you. They come from different backgrounds, have different majors and interests, and they struggle with academic and life challenges just like any student. It's part of why talking to them can be so helpful...they can really understand and empathize with your experience. Whether you come in to our offices for a drop-in to talk about challenges you are having, are taking one of our workshops to help you reduce your stress or manage anxiety about school, or are just here to visit our massage chairs or the egg chair for a little stress relaxation, the Mental Health Peers will be happy to help.

Abbey

2nd Year

Major: Psychology

Fun fact:
I love dogs so much and please do not hesitate to talk to me about your dog!

Bryan

4th Year

Major: Psychology,
            Sociology

Fun fact:
I love Mexican food!

C.J.

3rd Year

Major: Psychology

Fun fact:
I grew up in the Philippines and moved to Canada my senior year of high school

Ellie

4th Year

Major: Biopsychology

Fun fact:
I love the outdoors!

Hanna

4th year

Major: Psychology,
            Chicanx Studies

Fun fact:
I am an aromatherapy and essential oil enthusiast :)

Josh

5th Year

Major: Psychology,
            Bioanthropology
Minor: Applied Psych

Fun fact:
I'm a huge fan of superhero movies!

Justin

4th Year

Major: Biopsychology

Fun fact:
I believe in healthy mind and ​body and hope to inspire healthy proponents of both within the student body!

Marco

3rd Year

Major: Psychology,
            Chicanx Studies

Fun fact:
I have visited every Western state in the U.S.

Roni

4th Year

Major: Communications

Fun fact:
My first plane ride ever was to jump out of one...skydiving adventure!

Tristan

4th Year

Major: Psychology
Minor: Applied Psych

Fun fact:
I practice archery for fun!

Anyssa

4th Year

Major: Psychology
Minor: Applied Psych, Art

Fun fact:
I have a labradoodle puppy named Indy (short for Indiana Jones) in IV.

Carly

2nd Year

Major: Psychology

Fun fact:
I am very good at telling stories, especially Greek mythologies.

Chris

5th Year

Major: Sociology
Minor: Applied Psych

Fun fact:
On my off time I like to have movie marathons (especially horror) and going out dancing.

Hailey

4th Year

Major: Biopsychology
Minor: Spanish

Fun fact:  My dream career is to work with elementary school children as a school psychologist

Jasmine

2nd Year

Major: Psychology

Fun fact:
I'm in UCSB's premiere a cappella group, Naked Voices! Catch me at our quarterly concerts 😊

Julie

4th Year

Major:   Sociology
Minor:   Black Studies
               Applied Psych

Fun fact:
I can wiggle my ears! LOL

Kristen

3rd Year

Major: Psychology, Communications
​Minor: Applied Psych

Fun fact:
I love to dance!!

Pinto

4th Year

Major: Psychology
Minor: Applied Psych

Fun fact:
I have been dancing Ballet Folklorico (Mexican Folk dancing) for 4 yrs and dance in UCSB's folklorico group Raíces de mi Tierra.

Salma

4th Year

Major: Psychology
​Minor: Applied Psych

Fun fact:
I love everything Disney!

Willie

4th Year

Major: English

Fun fact:
Hip-hop is a vital part of my life!

Meet Our MHP Management Team

Jennifer La Guardia, Ph.D.

Clinical Coordinator

jennifer.laguardia@sa.ucsb.edu
(805) 893-4176

Gladys Koscak, M.S.

Program Supervisor

gladys.koscak@sa.ucsb.edu
(805) 893-2514

Samantha Bearman, MPH

Program Coordinator

samantha.bearman@sa.ucsb.edu
(805) 893-5815