Meet the Staff

As Director, Rose (she/her/hers) provides leadership and strategic planning for campus wellness initiatives including alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, sexual health, power-based personal violence prevention, nutrition and body image, bystander intervention, and general wellbeing. Rose was instrumental in the development of the campus-wide kNOw MORE power-based violence prevention initiative which highlights education and the continuum of care for students, faculty, and staff. Creating spaces where students feel empowered to take ownership of their lives through education and skill building serves as the foundation of her work. She is currently completing her Doctorate of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Florida State. Outside of FSU, she enjoys attending community events, thrift shopping and traveling.

Zabe (They/Them) is the Assistant Director in the Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness (CHAW). They are the former sexual health coordinator in CHAW and have a passion for sexual health as well as overall wellness. As assistant director, their responsibilities include serving the campus community on all the topics CHAW includes, but primarily supporting the area of interpersonal relationships. They aim to create spaces where students feel empowered to make decisions that are best for their health, as well as engage in health advocacy for themselves and their peers. They serve as an HIV tester and Wellness Coach as part of their role in CHAW. They received their Masters in Public Health from Florida State University. In their free time, Zabe enjoys knitting, pirates, spending time with loved ones, including their cat Phoebe.

Emma (she/her/hers) is the Registered Dietitian for the Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness. Emma has always valued the teachings of Intuitive Eating and being a part of the Health At Every Size Movement. Her main responsibilities include educating students on various nutrition topics that aim to promote having a long-lasting healthy relationship with food and body image, and collaborating with campus partners. She also provides one-on-one nutrition counseling to students seeking guidance on various nutrition topics related to general healthful eating, disordered eating, eating disorders, high cholesterol, food allergies, and many more. Emma received her Bachelor's in Dietetics at Florida State University, completed her internship, and became credentialed by the national association and licensed in the State of Florida, to provide appropriate, safe, scientific and evidence-based nutrition guidance. In her free time, she loves spending time with her weenie dog, Fettuccine, hiking, painting, and watching reality tv.

Esaunti (she/her) is our hazing prevention coordinator. She is a former CHAW HIV intern, that received her master's in public health (MPH) from Florida State. She also received her bachelor's in public health from the University of South Florida. Her responsibilities include steering the hazing prevention committee, presenting about health and wellness topics, supervising undergraduate public health students, and working closely with our Student Organizations and Conduct offices. She loves engaging with students and fostering an environment where they feel seen, loved, and safe. In her free time Esaunti enjoys paint-by-numbers, yoga, and spending time with her dog Winter.

John (He/Him/His) is the Collegiate Recovery Prevention Coordinator for the Florida State University Collegiate Recovery Program: LIFT. John’s passion for collegiate recovery outreach started when he actively participated as a student member in the collegiate recovery program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC-G): Spartan Recovery Program. John received his bachelor’s degree in social work at UNC-G while working as a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist for the Spartan Recovery Program. John’s most recent professional experience with collegiate recovery outreach includes working as a Collegiate Recovery Specialist for the Elon University Collegiate Recovery Community: Phoenix Free. In his free time, John enjoys going to sporting events, attending concerts/music festivals, watching tv shows/movies, riding roller coasters, and trying different restaurants.

Juan (He/Him/His) is the Prevention Coordinator for the Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness (CHAW) primarily focused on alcohol and other drug prevention. He received his bachelor's of science degree from Sam Houston State University. His background includes AOD prevention work in schools, communities, and university level. Juan is a passionate worker that excels in presentations, outreach, community event organization, and collaboration. He has a warm personality that invites people to connect in meaningful ways as well as lighthearted sense of humor. In his free time, Juan enjoys the company of his family and friends in adventures small and large as well as taking time to immerse himself in the books her has collected over the years. His favorite beverage is coffee and his dream vacation would be staying in a lake front cabin up in the mountains.

Nell (she/her/hers) is the Green Dot Coordinator for the Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness. Her main responsibilities include coordinating the implementation of the Green Dot Bystander Intervention program, educating students on bystander intervention, and collaborating with campus stakeholders. Nell received her Bachelor’s in Sociology from Florida State University and is currently completing her Masters of Social Work. In her free time, she enjoys cake decorating, watching scary movies, and trying to find the perfect cup of boiled peanuts.

Samantha Thoms (She/her) is a Registered Dietitian in the Center of Health Advocacy and Wellness. Before moving to Florida, Sam lived and worked as a dietitian in both Vancouver, BC and Indianapolis, IN. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from Indiana University and her Master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in nutrition/dietetics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sam aims to help students learn to dispel nutrition myths, challenge dominant cultural narratives around health, and develop healthy habits on their own terms. In her free time she enjoys getting lost in a good book, spending time with her family, gardening, and sewing.

Jacob (He/Him/His) is a SMART Choices facilitator and a presenter for subjects under the Alcohol and Other Drugs umbrella. Jacob has held his position with CHAW since the fall of 2021. He received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology as well as his Master's degree in Counseling and Human Systems from Florida State University and is currently pursuing his PhD in Counseling Psychology at Florida State University as well. Jacob's counseling interests and experience include working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders. His research interests focus upon the impact of one's prejudice, bias, and attitudes on therapeutic relationships between counselors and their clients as well as how these factors alter mental health crisis responses.

Kaitlynn (She/Her/Hers) is a Graduate Assistant and Certified HIV Counselor. She works with the Sexual Health Prevention team in creating programming and conducts rapid HIV testing and counseling. She received her bachelor's degree in political science from Florida State University and is continuing her education at FSU in the Master of Social Work program on the clinical track. Kaitlynn is an ambassador for the College of Social Work and a Graduate Research Assistant at the Institute for Trauma and Resilience Studies. In her free time, Kaitlynn enjoys fitness, especially running and yoga, exploring trails in Tallahassee, and spending time with her friends and cat!

Nick (He/Him) is a Graduate Assistant for the LIFT Collegiate Recovery Program. He received his Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2019 as well as a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University in 2021. He is currently a third-year doctoral student in the Combined Doctoral Program of Counseling Psychology and School Psychology here at FSU. Nick’s research and professional interest include substance use, anxiety disorders, and mental health disparities. Outside of work and class, Nicholas enjoys playing chess, reading, fellowshipping with fraternity brothers, and spending quality time with his friends, family, and beloved pet cat named Kairo.

María (she/they) is a Graduate Assistant for the LIFT Collegiate Recovery Program and provides peer and staff education on substance misuse, addiction and recovery on campus. She received her Dual Bachelor's in Sociology and International Affairs at Florida State University and is currently continuing her education with a Master of Clinical Social Work at FSU. Some of her professional interests include the topics of environmental justice, the reintegration of mental and physical health, trauma and resilience. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature and making ceramics art.

Ariel (She/Her) is a Nutrition Coach for the Center of Health Advocacy and Wellness. Ariel started her undergraduate degree at Florida State University in 2021 and earned her Bachelor’s in Dietetics in May 2024. Ariel is continuing her education at FSU by pursuing a Master's in Nutrition and Food Science along with a clinical dietetic internship. Her goal is to become a registered dietitian in the future! Ariel has a deep passion for nutrition education; she has experience and knowledge in intuitive eating, body image, nutrition coaching, performance nutrition, balanced eating, and meal planning. Her main responsibilities include offering general advice and support concerning intuitive eating, meal planning, meal ideas, and cooking tips. In her free time, she loves to practice yoga, try new recipes, visit nature trails, and journal her thoughts.

Josie (she/her) is a Peer Educator for Healthy Noles. She is responsible for managing Healthy Noles volunteers and events, as well as the development of a new Wellness space in the Student Union. She believes peer education is a cornerstone to student engagement and fostering an environment of wellness on campus. Josie is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Dietetics and plans on continuing her education in graduate school get a Master’s degree in Nutrition Science. She is passionate about nutrition education and physical wellness, and is also involved with Campus Recreation, The Student Dietetic Association at FSU, and Flavor Society. In her free time, Josie loves weightlifting, cooking new recipes, and spending time with her roommates, their cats Simba, Bug and Cleo.

Kirsten (She/Her) is the Recovery Ally Program Coordinator for the LIFT Collegiate Recovery Program. She was previously an undergraduate research assistant through UROP on the Campus Rec Program and the Recovery Ally Program (RAP) projects through LIFT. She is a senior pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Public Health with a minor in Communications and her Emergency Management and Homeland Security certificate. Now responsible for coordinating RAPs, training facilitators, and engaging the community with LIFT, she was also a fellow participating in the nationwide SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy. Her impact project to educate others through the Recovery Ally Program has led to her new role as a Working Group Facilitator for the upcoming cohort of fellows. Kirsten is also the risk management chair for the Club Tennis team, the development director for FSU Relay for Life’s executive board, and a member of Sigma Delta Tau Sorority and Order of Omega. She was inducted into the Torchbearer 100 program her junior year for her commitments to the University. In her free time, she enjoys staying active and spending time with friends exploring new things to do around Tallahassee.

Madi (she/her/hers) is the External Relations Chair for Healthy Noles. She is responsible for handling all external communications for Healthy Noles including social marketing strategies and potential collaborations. As a certified peer educator, she helps out with a lot of health promotion within Healthy Noles and advocating for student wellness on campus. Madi received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida and is currently working towards her second bachelor's in Dietetics at Florida State University. In her free time, she loves trying out new recipes, reading, and rewatching New Girl for the hundredth time.

McKenna (she/her) is a nutrition coach for the Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness. She is finishing up her senior year as an undergraduate studying Dietetics and plans to continue her nutrition studies after graduation. McKenna has always loved nutrition education and empowering others to make healthy, sustainable changes in their lifestyle. She coaches and works with students using a weight-neutral and intuitive eating approach while also having plenty of resources to help students with typical challenges that they might face, such as food insecurities, time management, finding recipes, and meal planning. In her free time, she loves baking, being in nature, traveling, and spending time with friends.

McKenzy Jie-a-fa (she/her/hers) is the Internal Relations Chair for Healthy Noles. In this position, she is responsible for administrative work and communications to Healthy Noles Peer Educators. McKenzy has a passion for serving the Florida State University Community via her involvements in Alpha Chi Sigma and Rotaract Club and as a Resident Assistant for Dorman Hall. McKenzy is excited to start Nursing school at FSU in Spring of 2025, and she will graduate with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in Spring of 2026. In her free time, McKenzy likes to stay active and go thrifting.