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Meet Our Staff

Rosanna Cacace Zakhir
Rosanna Cacace-Zakhir, M.A.
Director
She/Her/Hers
(951) 827-4841, rosanna.cacacezakhir@ucr.edu

Rosanna graduated with her M.A. in English Studies from California State University, Los Angeles. She has a long history working in prevention education. Rosanna spent 9 years as the Senior Community Health Educator for Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley (PPPSGV). Since 2009, Rosanna developed a variety of comprehensive sex education programs and founded PPPSGV’s peer advocate program. After departing from Planned Parenthood, Rosanna worked as the Violence Prevention Coordinator for the University of California, Irvine’s Campus Assault Resources and Education Office (CARE) where she implemented violence prevention education for students, faculty and staff and spearheaded a campus wide initiative to engage male-identified youth in violence prevention education. Her dedication and passion for social justice motivates her to provide an all-inclusive and intersectional framework to higher learning.

A Little Bit About Me

  • Favorite Hobbies: Cooking and writing
  • Favorite Book, Movie, or TV Show: Book - My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante; TV Show - Grey's Anatomy
  • A Unique Accomplishment: Wrote and performed a one woman show
  • I Recommend: Seeing a play as often as you can!
Nikki Hutchinson
Omonike (Nikki) Kotey, M.S.W.
Assistant Director of Advocacy & CARE Advocate
She/Her/Hers
(951) 827-2783, omonike.hutchinson@ucr.edu

Omonike graduated with her Masters in Social Work from California State University of Long Beach and has been working in the social services field for over 10 years. She has served as a community crisis counselor, behavioral interventionist, mentor and community liaison in the greater Los Angeles and Orange County area, she is a certified sexual assault/domestic violence counselor advocate. Additionally, she has provided subject matter expertise on human trafficking for statewide victim advocates training and has served on the Orange County’s Crisis Response Team for incident of mass violence. During her undergraduate studies, Omonike worked at the Cross-Cultural Centers for the University Student Union at California State University of Los Angeles. There she encouraged student learning as well as fostered an inclusive campus environment promoting diversity and cross-cultural awareness. Omonike is looking forward to continuing her passion of advocacy and holistic approaches to healing.

A Little Bit About Me

  • Favorite Hobbies: Traveling and camping
  • Favorite Book, Movie, or TV Show: Criminal Minds
  • A Unique Accomplishment: 2008 NCAA DII Track & Field National Champion and West Regional Athlete of the Year (Cal State LA)
  • I Recommend: Learning how to play an instrument - music is powerful!

 

A photo of our Advocate, Cynthia Martinez
Cynthia Martinez
CARE Advocate
She/Her/Hers
(951) 827-6225, cynthia.martinez1@ucr.edu 

Cynthia graduated with her Bachelor's in Sociology from California State University, San Bernardino and has over five years of experience working in social services. Cynthia worked a a Residential Case Manager at a domestic violence shelter and at Riverside County District Attorney's Office as a Victim Services Specialist. She has provided direct services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. In addition to working with survivors, she has also provided services to families' next of kin. She's a certified sexual assault and domestic violence counselor. Cynthia is also certified in Child and Family Advocacy. She's excited to be part of the CARE Team!

A Little Bit About Me

  • Favorite Hobbies: Going out for walks, spending time with her family, and snuggling with her dog, Toby.
  • Favorite Book, Movie, or TV Show: Titanic
  • A Unique Accomplishment: Currently learning a third language, ASL
  • Other languages Spoken: Spanish
  • I Recommend: Practicing self-care!

 

A photo of our advocate, Ashley Baczkowski
Ashley Baczkowski
CARE Advocate
She/Her/Hers
(951) 827-0874, ashley.baczkowski@ucr.edu 

Ashley graduated with a Masters in Women, Violence, and conflict from the University of York. Shortly after graduation she began working as an advocate in a shelter for survivors of domestic violence. Ashley spent 6 years as an advocate for domestic violence survivors and has also managed a crisis hotline, training others in crisis intervention and preparing them to meet survivor needs. She worked at the District Attorney’s Office as a Victim Services Specialist providing services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and has provided services to families’ next of kin. Ashley has an ongoing passion to work with survivors and create safety and healing in our communities.

A Little Bit About Me

  • Favorite Hobbies: I love to read. Movies, tv, hanging out with my cats
  • Favorite Book, Movie, or TV Show: Sleepers
  • A Unique Accomplishment: Reading nearly a book every other day for 2 months once
  • I Recommend: Giving yourself grace. Healing is not always an easy journey.

 

Karla Aguilar, M.S.W. Interim Director & CARE Advocate
Lisa Chu, M.S.
Violence Prevention Coordinator
She/Her/Hers
(951) 827-4841, lisa.chu@ucr.edu

Lisa has worked with sexual assault survivors and sexual violence prevention for more than 10 years. After graduating from UC Riverside, Lisa worked at the Orange County Rape Crisis Center as a staff sexual assault counselor for seven years. During this time, she received her Master's in counseling in marriage and family therapy. She currently oversees efforts on the campus to integrate sexual violence and interpersonal violence prevention and education. She also advises the Sexual Assault & Violence Education (SAVE) peer education program, which trains students to educate other students about sexual violence and relationship violence issues and resources.

A Little Bit About Me

  • Favorite Hobbies: Baking & cooking, road trips, and historic architecture
  • Favorite Book, Movie, or TV Show: One of my favorite movies is Elf
  • A Unique Accomplishment: Recently stood on the Four Corners of four states at the same time: Colorado, Utah, Arizona & New Mexico
  • I Recommend: taking a break during the day at the botanic garden on campus for lunch or a picnic

 

A photo of our staff member, Amanda
Amanda Luckett, M.S.
Intake & Project Coordinator
She/Her/Hers
(951) 827-6099, amanda.luckett@ucr.edu

Amanda is a proud graduate of Cal State San Bernardino (B.A.) and the University of Tennessee (M.S.). She has worked in higher education for over seven years and has experience with both prevention education and providing direct support to survivors. Amanda worked at the University of San Diego as the Prevention & Education Coordinator and later transitioned to working in Housing and Residential Life at Cal State East Bay. Amanda is excited to return to a CARE office and work to make our space warm and welcoming. She has a passion for supporting folks in the LGBTQ+ community and is grateful to have joined the UCR community.

A Little Bit About Me

  • Favorite Hobbies: Sewing, hiking & spending time with her cat, Stella
  • Favorite Book, Movie, or TV Show: Harry Potter Series, The Biggest Little Farm, and Scandal
  • A Unique Accomplishment: I have a life goal of making it to all the National Parks in the US and have made it to 16 so far.
  • I Recommend: creating something with your hands (art, gardening, food, etc.)

 

 

CARE Student Assistants

A photo of our student staff, Lorena
Jade Zuniga
4th Year, Psychology Major w/ Minor in Business-Organized Behavior
Hi everyone! My name is Jade Zuniga, and I am a 4th-year Psychology major with a Business minor in Organized Behavior. Outside of the CARE office, I am the Co-President of HerCampus at UCR and the outreach coordinator for Kesem at UCR. I got involved with the CARE Office through their SAVE Peer Group and was a part of the group all of my third year. Being in SAVE further connected me to the office and its goals and values, and made me want to be more active in the office as my passion for our work grew, which led me to the opportunity of being Student Staff. My position in the office consists of programming events and creating content for CARE's social media that focuses on preventative education. I am so excited to work on programs and create content that spreads awareness of the importance of consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships so that we can foster a safe and caring community here at UCR. Outside of school, I enjoy going out to eat (I love spicy food), reading, watching shows & movies, and playing video games.
A photo of our student staff, Marisol
Lauren Garcia
4th Year, Psychology Major w/ Minor in Public Policy--Human Health and Population Sciences
Hi everyone! My name is Lauren Garcia and I’m a fourth-year Psychology Major & a minor in Public Policy w/ a concentration in Human Health and Population Sciences. I’ve also lived in the Inland Empire my whole life. My journey in CARE started during my first-year at UCR, where my interest in our office led to my participation in CARE events throughout the year. However, it wasn’t until the end of my third-year where I had the opportunity to be this year’s BSAV Student Program Coordinator! Outside of CARE, I’m also the current Chapter President of my sorority Delta Gamma which has allowed me to develop my leadership skills in a way that empowers me to motivate individuals. I’m so excited to make an impact on our campus by educating those involved in the Greek Community on bystander awareness, consent, and party culture. Some of my hobbies include trying new foods, cooking/baking, and hanging out with friends and family!
A photo of our student staff, Jasmin
Margareth Gutierrez
4th Year, Political Science w/ Minor in Feminist Studies

Hi everyone! My name is Margareth Gutierrez (she/her/ella), and I am a fourth year Political Science major with a minor in Feminist Studies. I am from Los Angeles and have only lived in Riverside since 2020. I have been a part of SAVE since my third year and am really excited to be the peer coordinator for 2023-2024. Outside of CARE, I am most likely reading a book or watching a show or talking about anything pop culture related. I look forward to being SAVE’s program coordinator and working alongside our peers this year.

 

A photo of our student staff, Michelle
Marifer Camba
4th Year, Microbiology w/ Minor in Education

Hello everyone! My name is Maria Fernanda but I go by Marifer (she/her), and I’m a fourth year Microbiology major with a minor in Education. While I’m originally from Mexico City, I moved to Palm Desert during high school. My involvement with the CARE office began during my third year as a SAVE Peer. The moment I stepped into the office, I knew I found my place. From attending events to actively participating in the office's programming, my passion for promoting awareness and positive change was ignited. Now, as part of the CARE Student Staff, I focus on programming and collaborating with the Ethnic and Gender Centers and other departments on campus. I am also the Vice President of my sorority Alpha Pi Sigma which has giving me the opportunity to develop a variety of skills from leadership to teamwork, that I’m excited to carry forward into my position. Outside of school, I like to cook, watch movies and series, and spend time hanging with my friends and family. I look forward to continuing fostering a safe space on campus and making a positive impact on our campus community.

CARE Staff