Support Staff

BIO

Hello Anteaters, welcome to the Counseling Center! My name is Tracee Dones, and it is an honor to be a team member of the Counseling Center. At UCI, we believe that the overall counseling experience should be a collaborative and supportive journey to help every student achieve their goals while connecting with the resources and services they need. I believe that humans thrive when we feel secure and safe. Moreover, outside of work, when I am not traveling, I enjoy concerts, spending quality time with my family, and attending sporting events. Sidenote: I am a HUGE San Francisco 49ers Fan. GO 9ers!!

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Hello fellow Anteaters! My name is Nancy Hernandez and I am a fellow UCI alumus (zot zot zot). I received my Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences with a minor in Psychology in June 2021 (yes, I was a pandemic graduate). As a first-generation, low-income, adult learner, transfer student, I found navigating higher education to be difficult and stressful; however, the UCI Counseling Center helped me learn how to balance my load and also directed me to other helpful on-campus resources. In addition, the counseling center helped me learn more about myself and my habits, so I am excited to provide the services I needed to succeed as a student to my fellow UCI family! I also worked as a server at UCI Catering and as a Peer Educator for the Student Success Initiatives as an undergraduate student, so I am knowledgeable on the campus as well as other helpful resources for low-income and first-generation students. Please stop by our front desk and ask me questions about our counseling center services and I am happy to answer any questions you may have pertaining to my experience as a transfer student or student worker on campus. Quick study tip: lo-fi study beats/tranquil music helped me stay focused and relaxed as I studied!

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Jamie Jones is the Counseling Center Coordinator and has been with UCI since 2004. She provides administrative support to the Counseling Center staff and is happy to assist students, staff and others with questions regarding the services offered by the Counseling Center. Jamie is also Green Dot certified and believes that UCI can be a leader in reducing violence on college campuses using proactive violence prevention strategies and good bystander intervention. Jamie also facilitates HealthRHYTHMS drum circles for various departments on campus for teambuilding and stress reduction. She has a B.B.A in Marketing from Texas Tech University and has many years of experience working in Academic settings here and abroad. She has also held positions working for large corporations and small businesses. She is happy to use her organizational, business and support skills to assist students and staff here at UCI.

BIO

Hello and welcome to the UCI Counseling Center, Anteaters! As a proud UCI alumna with a BA in Psychology, I am honored to serve you. As a first-generation, low-income, Asian American, navigating higher education was difficult for me, however, the counseling center provided me with the guidance and resources that I needed to thrive and succeed. I was able to learn crucial skills to navigate my interpersonal relationships, overcome anxiety, and healthy coping skills to deal with stressful situations. I am eager to help other students who may also be struggling. I feel so privileged to be able to give back to the campus and community that transformed my life. Please feel free to ask me any questions regarding our counseling services or campus life, I would love to help you!

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Coming Soon

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Hello, and welcome to the UCI Counseling Center, Anteaters! My name is Lourdes Deaquino and it is an honor to be a part of the Counseling Center team. I attended Golden West College and Coastline Community College where I received an A.A Degree in Psychology and then transferred to California State University of Long Beach where I received my Bachelor’s in Psychology. As a first-generation, transfer student I found it exciting to continue to pursue my education and received my Master’s Degree in Education Counseling from National University.

 Navigating life and the unforeseen circumstances that life brings can be very difficult, however supportive resources like the counseling center are extremely helpful. This has intrigued me to continue supporting student’s the best of my abilities and encourage students to find a work life balance that works for them. I look forward to helping create a safe and resourceful environment for everyone that comes to seek services at the Counseling Center and truly look forward to meeting you.

 Outside of work, I love to travel, enjoy concerts/festivals and love to spend time with my family and friends. I’m a huge Dodgers & Lakers fan and love supporting them during the MLB & NBA season.

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Welcome to the UCI Counseling Center!

 My name is Rosa Elena Leon and I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing team. I graduated in 2020 from California State University, Chico with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. I am looking forward to continuing my education and playing a part in helping guide students. As a first-generation student myself, I understand the many transitions and obstacles many of us have had to face. The idea of counseling can be daunting to some but here at UCI we are more than ready to provide support and resources to anyone.

By being a part of this team, I am here to help eradicate any negative stigmatization regarding mental health and outreach resources. Please never hesitate to seek help.

Outside of work, I enjoy being active outdoors, hanging out with friends/family, and watching LA Galaxy soccer games.

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Hi all! I’m Olivia, Clinical Applications and Information Systems Analyst here at the UCI Counseling Center. After a few years developing a background in social services and community healthcare, I’m thrilled to be back on a college campus. I have a strong appreciation for public institutions, especially universities, where the density of resources is unparalleled and my value of information and resource accessibility is shared. It’s important to me that students from all backgrounds feel comfortable with and entitled to every resource the university has to offer. I look forward to contributing to this and to students’ academic and personal success through the work we do here at the Counseling Center. Zot.

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As one of the Counseling Center’s front desk staff, I enjoy getting to interact with all the students who call us or come through our doors, and to help them find the type of services that are right for them.  Feel free to reach out to us if you’re ever in need of a little help; that’s what we’re here for!

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Hi Anteaters! It is a privilege for me to serve the UCI community. Ever since I was young I always dreamed of attending this prestigious school and now I get the opportunity to be on campus every school day! I am an exercise science graduate from CSULB and love to do fitness activities such as table tennis, hiking, and lifting weights. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this community! Be sure to use the counseling center because it is an amazing resource for all students and staff!

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Hi Anteaters! My name is Cathryn Stansberry, and I am so excited to be joining the UCI Counseling Center as the new Outreach & Marketing Assistant! I was an All-American water polo player at Long Beach City College where I graduated as a valedictorian with my AS-T in Business Administration. I then graduated summa cum laude from Vanguard University with a B.A. in Business Administration and have been working in higher education ever since. Throughout my career I’ve been a viking, lion, cougar, shark/49er, and now I can happily call myself an anteater!

I hope you have an amazing time here at UCI! 🙂