CARE is open and offering confidential support for students, faculty, and staff.
To schedule an appointment with an advocate, please click the button below.
Meet Our Staff
Omonike (Nikki) Kotey, M.S.W.
Interim Director, 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!
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!
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.
Lisa Chu, M.S.
Assistant Director of Prevention
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
CARE Student Assistants
Melany Gil
Masters in Public Health
Hi everyone! My name is Melany Gil (she/her), and I am currently an MPH student. I discovered the CARE Office during my time as an undergraduate at UCR, and I immediately gravitated toward its mission. During that time, I had the opportunity to serve as both a SAVE Peer and a SAVE Peer Coordinator. I now have the pleasure of continuing to work alongside CARE Office staff and student peers as a Graduate Student Programming Assistant. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending my free time working out with friends, taking my dog to the park, and exploring coffee shops and thrift stores in the Inland Empire
Kevin Gomez
4th Year, Psychology Major
Hi everybody! I am Kevin Gomez (He/Him), and I am a fourth year psychology major. During my second year I joined the CARE office as an intern and SAVE Peer. Since then with CARE, I have learned how to be an active leader on campus that educates students on consent culture and healthy relationship dynamics. I am very excited to serve the community this year as student staff, and I hope to connect with students at all levels. If I am not in the CARE office then you’ll probably find me outside in nature touching grass, exploring a new city, or making new memories with my family.
Stacey Medina
4th Year, Double Major, English and Education
Hi! My name is Stacey Medina (She/Her) and I am a fourth-year double major in English and Education. I am in a sorority on campus called Kappa Kappa Gamma, and through that organization I found out about BSAV, brothers and sisters against violence. I was very interested in continuing to work for the CARE office because of my desire to help advocate for survivors as well as engage our campus in the activities we plan to promote a safe climate at UCR for all. Outside of academics and extracurriculars, I love swimming, spending time with my loved ones, and being in nature. I’m looking forward to the upcoming year!
Vaneet Pani
4th Year, Political Science and Sociology
Hi! My name is Vaneet Pani (she/her), and I am a 4th year Political Science and Sociology major. I found CARE during my second year and joined as a SAVE Peer during my third year. Being a Peer allowed me to give back to the student community and educate other students on consent culture. I’m excited to become a part of that process this year and contribute from the educational lens. As a part of student staff, I will collaborate with other campus orgs and curate programs for our student body. I’m also a part of our student government as Vice Chief Justice for ASUCR’s Judicial Court. I enjoy listening to music, reading news articles, collecting things, and exploring new places and hiking.
Indigo Talley
4th Year, Entomology
Hi everybody! My name is Indigo Talley (they/them), and I am a 4th year Entomology major. I discovered CARE in my 1st year and I was able to join as a SAVE peer vol`unteer in my second year. I loved being a SAVE peer and fostering the community that I am in through education and acceptance. I am so excited for the opportunity to do even more as a part of student staff this year! You can often find me in the Entomology building on campus or at the CARE office in the hub. I am from Ventura, and outside of school I enjoy playing video games, reading, listening to new music, making yummy food, and spending time with my friends.
Shivali Vishwakarma
4th Year, Biology
Hey everyone! My name is Shivali Vishwakarma (She/Her), and I am a fourth year Biology major. I found out about CARE in my first year and became a SAVE Peer in my second year as a way to further advocate for survivors, create a safe space for people to ask questions, and share information on consent and healthy relationships with the UCR community. I am really looking forward to continuing this work as the SAVE Peer Coordinator this year! Some other UCR organizations I am a part of include Period.@UCR, The Well, and Citrus Free Clinic. Outside of academics, I love hanging out with my friends, trying new cafes, baking, going on walks, dancing, and playing with my cat.
