WHP Staff
Anna Ang
Health Education Assistant
408 924-6202
MPH, San Jose State University
BA, National University of Singapore
Q:Why did you choose to work in Wellness and Health Promotion?
A: I chose to work in Wellness and Health Promotion because I
love interacting with SJSU students and engaging in lively
conversations and dialogues with them about college life. As an
SJSU alumni, I enjoy sharing my stories, knowledge and experience
with fellow SJSU students to help them stay healthy on campus and
succeed in college.
Q:Can you talk about what you do in WHP?
A: I provide administrative and programming support to the WHP team. I provide assistance to the team in their outreach efforts on campus and answer queries from students regarding the excellent services that we provide at the student health center.
Q:What do you do to stay well?
A: I enjoy cooking, learning about new recipes from different
cultures and watching Food Network. I also enjoy role-playing
different characters with my three year old as well as spending
quality time with my newborn.
Q:What's the most awesome place you've ever
been?
A: Bali, Indonesia
Strengths: Harmony, Analytical, Responsibility,
Context, Developer
Vicky Cervantes
Office Coordinator
mariavictoria.cervantes@sjsu.edu
408 924-6280
College of the Holy Spirit
Q:Why did you choose to work in Wellness and Health Promotion?
A: I chose to work in Wellness and Health Promotion because I love to meet and help people. I love cultural diversity at SJSU. Working with the students and the coordinators is a learning process that keeps me going because everyday is something different to look forward to.
Q:Can you talk about what you do in WHP?
A: I provide support to the Assist Director, all the WHP Coordinators, and students. I prepare a variety of documents, order and maintain office and event supplies; process, monitor and maintain various departmental budgets; receive and respond to student inquiries and explain policies and procedures as requested.
Q:What do you do to stay well?
A: I have four sons who are very active. When my boys go biking,
camping, hiking, you name it, I am there with them. I love to cook
and dance when I have time. I also create cards and scrapbooks.
Q: What's the most awesome place you've ever
been?
A: Lucerne, Switzerland and Canada
Strengths: Achiever, Empathy, Developer,
Connectedness, Strategic
Melinda Chu-Yang
Wellness & Health Promotion Coordinator
melinda.chu-yang@sjsu.edu
408 924-6203
MPH, San Diego State University
BA, University of California, San Diego
Certified Health Education Specialist
California Certified HIV Test Counselor
Q:Why did you choose to work in Wellness and Health Promotion?
A: I chose to work with college students because I know that
students have a lot of questions about various health topics
throughout their college life. I really enjoy being able to answer
students' questions and provide them with accurate health
information that they can use for the rest of their lives. I also
know that providing students with this information will help
prevent long term health issues and create healthy lifestyles.
Q:Can you talk about what you do in WHP?
A: I provide free one-on-one consultations with students to
discuss various sexual health topics such as birth control,
sexually transmitted infections, first time pap smears/pelvic
exams, HIV testing, HPV vaccines and general sexual health
questions. I co-coordinate the Peer Health Education (PHE) Program
and oversee the Sexual Health, Stress and Chronic Diseases
specialties. I also coordinate health awareness programs/events on
campus and facilitate workshops for academic classes and student
organizations. I work closely with the Student Health Center
clinicians to make sure we are providing the best service to
students.
Q:What do you do to stay well?
A: To stay well, I like to do crafts and express myself
creatively. I enjoy dancing, yoga and spending quality time with my
family and friends.
Q: What's the most awesome place you've ever
been?
A: Tokyo, Japan
Strengths: Deliberative, Discipline, Empathy,
Intellection, Restorative
Jennifer Gacutan-Galang, MPH
Wellness and Health Promotion Coordinator- Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs, and Violence Prevention
jennifer.gacutan-galang@sjsu.edu
408 924-6119
MPH, Community Health Education, San Jose State University
BA, Environmental Analysis & Design, and Epidemiology & Public Health, UC Irvine
Q:Why did you choose to work in Wellness and Health Promotion?
A: When I was 10 years old a close family member was diagnosed
with cancer. No one had the ability to answer my questions or tell
me what cancer was. I promised myself then that I'd grow up and be
that person that would help people understand health issues and
health topics and here I am! I love working at SJSU because the
students keep me on my toes. I thrive on their curiosity, their
energy, and their willingness to learn.
Q:Can you talk about what you do in WHP?
A: In co-coordinating the Peer Health Education program I get to work with wonderful Peer Health Educators and co-teach a Health Science course, HS 180: Concepts in Peer Health Education. Aside from the programming our PHE's do I myself offer workshops, presentations, and programs in the areas of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs, and Violence Prevention to the campus community. I also provide health education consultations for tobacco cessation, alcohol and other drug use and abuse, and violence prevention. I co-chair the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Committee and get to work with various campus departments on developing, providing, and improving sexual assault prevention education and alcohol awareness education.
Q:What do you do to stay well?
A: I run around after my toddler daughter, I surround myself
with the positive energy of my family, and I dance hula.
Q: What's the most awesome place you've ever
been?
A: Snorkeling in Kauai with sea turtles.
Strengths: Strategic, Relator, Individualization, Discipline, Learner
Laurie Morgan
Assistant Director for Campus Wellness
408 924-6117
PhD (ABD), Transformative Learning and Change,
California Institute of Integral Studies
MA, Counseling and Guidance, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
BA, Management, Sonoma State University
Q: Why did you choose to work in Wellness and Health Promotion?
A: I absolutely love working with college students, especially the diverse population that SJSU attracts. This position allows me to integrate many areas of interest to support students from a holistic perspective. I also appreciate all of the opportunities for collaboration tied to wellness-based programs and services. Ultimately, I want to help people to live their healthiest, most authentic and passionate lives possible.
Q: Can you talk about what you do in WHP?
A: I get to manage an exceptional team of five women who provide programming and services to support the wellness and health of students at SJSU. We also mentor 40 plus students thru our Peer Health Educator and Nutrition Education Action Team programs. I chair or co-chair a number of committees including the Wellness Advocates, open to all SJSU members, and the Strengths-Based Learning Team. Another interest of mine is developing our virtual services.
Q: What do you do to stay well?
A: Getting out in nature feeds my soul so I enjoy hiking, backpacking and kayaking. I also try to surround myself with people who make me laugh! I find if I sleep 8 hrs/night much of the rest falls into place.
Q: What's the most awesome place you've ever been?
A: So many! I'll cheat and say: India, Kenya, Australia, Yosemite.
Strengths: Strategic, Ideation, Relator, Input, Individualization
Jennifer Waldrop
Campus Nutritionist/Wellness & Health Promotion Coordinator
408 924-6118
MPH, RD, University of Michigan,
Nutritional Consultant Certification, Bowman College of Holistic Nutrition
BS Biology New Mexico State University
Q:Why did you choose to work in Wellness and Health Promotion?
A: I work in Wellness and Health Promotion because I love working with college students. SJSU students are great to work with because they are multicultural, willing to change, fun, honest, and full of life. Working in a learning environment allows me to grow right along with the students. I see myself as teacher and facilitator that empower students to eat in a way that respects their body, culture, and enables them to reach their potential.
Q:Can you talk about what you do in WHP?
A: I coordinate the Nutrition Education Action Team (NEAT);
conduct nutritional counseling sessions for medical nutrition
issues such as diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, high
cholesterol, high blood pressure, weight management, healthy eating
strategies, sports nutrition, and eating disorders; lead nutrition
trainings and workshops on campus; and collaborate to plan campus
events such as “Respect Your Body Week.”
Q:What do you do to stay well?
A: To keep my life as balanced as possible, I eat breakfast, walk, vacation in Hawaii, do yoga, and go to the beach with my friends, family, and dog. I also plan a menu and shop on Sundays so I can make fast and delicious meals during the week.
Q: What's the most awesome place you've ever been?
A: Chefchaouen, Morocco. Many of buildings and walkways are painted sky blue; it is a serene and beautiful city with the most delicious tagine.
Strengths: Empathy, Achiever, Restorative, Learner, Arranger
