About Us

The office for Wellness and Health Promotion along with our student organization, Health and Wellness Crew (HAWC), empower healthy decision making through education, prevention, and peer support. We think about wellness holistically with physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social components central to how we approach our work. At Seattle U there is more to being healthy than eating right and exercising!

Staff are available to discuss physical wellness, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, as well as healthy relationships. We work with students individually to provide resources and help develop a plan for sustainable wellbeing.

HAWC members host student events regularly and hold office hours for private conversations and referrals. To learn about our upcoming events follow us on Facebook, call a HAWC member at (206) 220-8450 or email the team at HAWC@seattleu.edu.

Photo of Chris Fiorello (He/Him)

Chris Fiorello (He/Him)

B.F.A. Computer Art & Animation, Savannah College of Art and Design
M.S. Higher Education Administration, Florida State University
Ph.D. Candidate, Education and Human Development, George Mason University

Director

Phone: 206-296-2593

Building/Room: STCN 380

Chris Fiorello is committed to helping students make decisions that promote lifelong wellness. He understands what it’s like to struggle with personal wellness decisions and focuses his approach to student wellness on reasonable goals setting, intrinsic motivations, and committing to incremental change. He helps students process through the societal messages about wellness that are often unrealistic, can stigmatize students, and lead to unhealthy goals. Chris has 20 years’ experience working with college students in a variety of capacities. Chris is also a current doctor of philosophy candidate in education and human development at George Mason University where his research focuses on disrupting harmful and dangerous performances of masculinity and promoting healthy masculinities.

Photo of Mikaela Wallin (She/Her)

Mikaela Wallin (She/Her)

M.S. Criminal Justice, Michigan State University
M. A. Gender and Women's Studies, Arizona State University
B.A. Gender Studies and Political Science, The University of Wisconsin - Madison

Associate Director

Phone: 206-296-6129

Building/Room: STCN 380

Mikaela Wallin specializes in the area of healthy relationships where she combines her passions for sex-positive sexual health education and violence prevention. With over 9 years of experience facilitating inclusive and trauma-informed conversations around consent and interpersonal violence prevention, she strives to create learning spaces where students gain skills to create heathier relationships with themselves and others. Mikaela has also volunteered in domestic violence personal protective order offices and published research articles on domestic violence firearm policies. In her spare time Mikaela enjoys spending time with her pet chinchilla, finding new books to read, and exploring Seattle!  

Photo of Andi Thomas-Sanchez (She/They)

Andi Thomas-Sanchez (She/They)

Current student, Student Development Administration (M.A.)
B.S. Math & Studio Art, University of Puget Sound 2020

Program Coordinator for Healthy Relationships

Building/Room: STCN 380

Andi was born and raised in San Diego, CA but has called the Pacific Northwest home for several years now. As a student at University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA; they were involved with interpersonal violence prevention on campus as well as Greek Life and orientation. Andi's passion for violence prevention and student support was ultimately what drove them to go back to school to pursue their master's in Student Development Administration. Today, Andi keeps themself busy with work, classes, student organizations, and spontaneous self-care. When they're not on-campus, they enjoy going outside and hiking, listening to audiobooks, and trying all the delicious food that Seattle has to offer. Andi is always excited to chat about healthy relationships, so don't be afraid to stop by and say hello!

Photo of Kimberly Graff (She/Her)

Kimberly Graff (She/Her)

B.A. Liberal Studies: Elementary Education and Science, Humboldt State University

Program Coordinator for Mental Health

Phone: 206-220-8281

Building/Room: STCN 380

Kimberly is earning her Master of Education in Student Development Administration.  She is passionate about decreasing the stigma around mental health self-care and promoting body-positive messages.  She has experience working as an advisor and co-manager for an undergraduate program as well as service in AmeriCorps.  Born and raised in the East Bay of Fremont, California, Kimberly loves nature and good food and has been hoping to move to the Seattle/King County region for over ten years.  In addition to her B.A. she holds a minor in Interdisciplinary Dance.  In her spare time, Kimberly loves to play and cuddle with her cat, garden, hike, stretch, dance, bake, watch anime/various dramas, and spend time outdoors with her husband.  She hopes you drop by soon to say hello!  

Photo of Brittany Ater (She/Her)

Brittany Ater (She/Her)

B.S. Psychology & Minor in Family and Human Development, Arizona State University 2018
M.A. Education, Northern Arizona University 2020

Program Coordinator for Mental Health

Building/Room: STCN 380

Brittany Ater is a graduate student in the Couples and Family Therapy program at Seattle University. She is interested in working with individuals (specifically adolescents and young adults) and couples. Brittany has a special interest in working with intimate partners and hopes to become an AASECT-certified sex therapist in the future to support couples and individuals in their sexual health and connection.  She is an advocate for mental healthcare and reducing the stigma surrounding this topic. Brittany has previously worked in higher education and health technology. She is excited to be supporting students in their wellness journey through mental health programming on campus. Her interests outside of school and work include reading, bouldering, traveling, paddle boarding, group fitness, and trying new restaurants.

Photo of Megan Okuma (She/Her)

Megan Okuma (She/Her)

Current Student, Communication & Media

Project Assistant

Building/Room: STCN 380

Megan Okuma is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Communication and Media. Her interests include finding new eateries, watching movies, and swimming. Megan joined the Wellness and Health Promotion team to help create an environment at Seattle U that is inclusive and caring of all. Megan spends her free time re-watching Parks and Rec episodes and reading.

Photo of Fiona Griffiths Boston (She/Her)

Fiona Griffiths Boston (She/Her)

Current Student, Philosophy and Public Affairs

Project Assistant

Building/Room: STCN 380

Fiona is a third-year undergraduate student double majoring in Public Affairs and Philosophy. In her free time, she enjoys going to bookstores, finding new places to eat with friends, going on adventures, having good chats, and listening to music. Fiona joined the Wellness and Health Promotion team because of her passion for inclusivity and LGBTQ+ health, in hopes of creating an environment at Seattle U where everyone feels taken care of.

Photo of Lena Pham (She/Her)

Lena Pham (She/Her)

Current Student, DIUS

Project Assistant

Building/Room: STCN 380

Lena is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Diagnostic Ultrasound. Planning to work in the medical field, she hopes to experience many different things in order to utilize them in becoming a better caretaker. Lena joined the Health and Wellness Promotion team to support students by spreading awareness and resources through different projects. She is a person who enjoys listening to music, practicing instruments, traveling, and volunteering at her local church.

Photo of Sarina Sanjay (She/Her)

Sarina Sanjay (She/Her)

Current Student, Electrical Engineering

Project Assistant

Building/Room: STCN 380

Sarina is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Electrical Engineering. Sarina joined the Wellness and Health Promotion team because she wanted to work with a variety of projects in the health and wellness space while highlighting available resources to promote health in all aspects of life. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, listening to music, and trying new recipes. 

Photo of Emilia Valdez (She/Her)

Emilia Valdez (She/Her)

Current Student, Elementary Education

Graphic Designer

Building/Room: STCN 380

Emilia is a fourth-year student at Seattle University majoring in Elementary Education. She loves the fiber arts such as knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She also loves art and drawing. You can often catch her on campus knitting a sock or sketching something. Emilia joined the Wellness and Health Promotion team because she wanted to use her creative abilities to help promote the importance of mental health and wellness.

Photo of Marianne Villamil (She/Her)

Marianne Villamil (She/Her)

Current Student, Design

Graphic Designer

Building/Room: STCN 380

Marianne is a second-year student at Seattle University majoring in Design. While she studies, she enjoys taking breaks, photographing the Seattle area, and listening to music by Maggie Rogers or watching anything involving Marvel. She chose to work at Wellness and Health Promotion because of the inclusive environment and wanted to use her design skills to help promote the amazing events and work of her fellow work pupils.