The CARE Office 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
Rosanna Cacace-Zakhir, M.A.
Interim 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!
Omonike (Nikki) Hutchinson, 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!
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
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
Lorena Alvarado
4th Year, Philosophy
Hi everyone! My name is Lorena Alvarado, I’m from Los Angeles and I’m a 4th year philosophy major. I have been a member of BSAV since my second year, so becoming the program coordinator was a dream come true! I am also the president of my sorority Sigma Kappa which has given me the opportunity to become a leader within the community. I am passionate about advocating for change, and raising awareness on issues that impact our ability to have healthy relationships. My hope is to make an impact on the lives of those I get to meet this year through programming and outreach! I love the diversity at UCR, and I’m so thankful for the life path I have found thanks to CARE.
Marisol Jimenez
4th Year, Sociology
Hey everyone, my name is Marisol Jimenez and I am a 4th year Sociology major! I was born and raised in Riverside County. The CARE office sparked my interest following freshman orientation, which helped me later apply and become a SAVE Peer mentor during my 2nd year. I later became a CARE Student Staff Member as a 3rd year and continue to hold the same position for my last year here at UCR! :) I focus on programming and collaborating with the Ethnic and Gender Centers on campus. I look forward to creating programs that emphasize the values our office holds and spreading awareness on healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries. Outside of school, I love being outdoors in nature exploring and I love sushi. I’m excited to be back and make the most of my last year here with CARE! <3
Jasmin Maciel
4th Year, Liberal Studies w/ minor in Education
Hi y’all! My name is Jasmin Maciel (she/her/hers), and I am a fourth year Liberal Studies major with a minor in Education. I have always lived in the Inland Empire—specifically within Riverside’s Eastside community. Outside of my position with CARE, I am an AVID Tutor at my former high school; I volunteer at a local, private elementary school; and I am a member of FTOC at UCR. However, in terms of my connection to the CARE Office, it took off after realizing that my passions and goals aligned with their mission and values. Last year, I was a SAVE Peer Educator excited to work on campaigns and get the word out about preventative education and wellness empowerment. This year, I was granted the opportunity to move up and become the SAVE Peer Coordinator. Here, I am able to continue my equity work with both SAVE and CARE, while also leading a group of students who are mutually dedicated to promoting and advocating for student’s health and healing
Michelle Nguyen
2nd Year, Media & Cultural Studies
Hello! My name is Michelle Nguyen and I’m currently a second year Media and Cultural Studies major. I look forward to creating graphics that can help people learn and spread awareness about healthy relationships and boundaries. In my free time (there isn’t much, trust me), you can find me enjoying the time of my life at concerts and melting away on the couch binging whatever’s on Netflix.
Audrey Tang
4th Year, Sociology
Hi everyone! My name is Audrey Tang and I am currently a 4th year undergraduate student at UC Riverside majoring in Sociology. Last year, I was a SAVE Peer Educator which led me to my current position as a CARE Student Staff Member. My current role focuses on social media content and curation in terms of prevention education. I joined the CARE Office because one of my passions is creating a safe space for students and faculty and for individuals’ to learn and cultivate healthy relationships and boundaries in their lives. In my spare time, I enjoy baking, reading, skincare, yoga, visiting museums, and trying new restaurants!
CARE Partners
Songling Chen, M.Ed
GSA Diversity and Inclusion Academic Liaison (DIAL)
5th Year Doctoral Candidate, Higher Education Administration & Policy
Songling is a 5th year Ph.D. student in Higher Education Administration and Policy program. She obtained her Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from the University of Southern California (USC). She has over six years of experience in student affairs and has supported students from diverse backgrounds through mentoring, advising, teaching, pedagogy development, and research. Before coming to UCR, Songling worked as an academic advisor at USC. During her time at UCR, she worked as the Graduate Student Mentorship Program co-coordinator for two years and the instructional continuity consultant for one year.
Songling is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for college students. Her research focuses on diversity and racial issues in U.S. higher education, including diversity in STEM fields and the experiences of Asian American college students. In Fall 2021, she completed the Making Excellence Inclusive: Graduate Student Diversity Certificate Program at UCR. As the GSA DIAL for the 2022-2023 academic year, she is committed to representing and advocating for graduate student concerns relating to discrimination and sexual harassment.
In her spare time, Songling loves traveling and learning about different cultures. She backpacked to 12 countries in Europe when she studied abroad in Germany as an undergraduate. She has visited 18 states in the U.S. so far and plans to visit more. She previously lived in Beijing, Stuttgart, and Los Angeles.
Caylin Yorba-Ruiz
Graduate Student Intern
Boston University Master of Social Work Student
Caylin is a graphic artist devoted to community wellness, advocacy, and social justice to promote healing. She is a UCR graduate and received a BA in Art (Studio) and a BA in Media & Cultural Studies. Caylin is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work to further her reach in community-based organizing. She aims to better understand the connection between art, social justice, and social work.
Caylin is interning with the CARE office to help develop programming for survivors on campus.