Professional:

Vanessa is currently working on her Bachelor's of Psychology at Utah Tech University (formerly known as DSU) and as far as certifications go, she is certified in QPR suicide prevention and just recently received a certification for WhyTry so that counts for something right? Luckily, she's supposed to get more trainings and certifications through this job so she's excited for that. 

Hobbies:​​

• First and foremost, I pretty much live at the gym. I’m a fitness enthusiast with hopes of competing in professional body building one day! But until that dream becomes reality, I surround myself in the fitness community because I’m always fascinated about what I learn from those around me.
  
• When I’m not grinding at the gym, I’m probably binging one of my favorite shows. I’m a huge geek in all thing’s comic books, movies, video games, anime, and everything in between! I once sat through a whole 9-10 hour Lord of the Rings marathon and would do it again. Along with all the fantastical genres I have gotten into reading self help books and I love to implement what I learn from them into my everyday life.
  
• As much as I wish I could do this as much as I read or lift, I also really love going to concerts! Especially country concerts! The music, the good vibes, the people, everything about them is a one of a kind experience.
  
• And lastly, I’m a dog person with the cutest fur baby in the world and we love hiking and taking pictures together!

Personal:

Originally I am from San Fernando Valley California but at the young age of 3 my parents moved us to St. George and we’ve never left. They wanted a nice place to raise kids and get good education and I’m grateful for their decision. Much like me, it has grown so much!

Why I chose prevention:

My answer for this question is always the same. Back when I was in middle school it was a time in my life where I realized I needed help figuring out basically everything about my mental health.  I joined a PEP group and from there continued with similar groups all throughout middle, high school, and even some college. It changed my life. And ever since then I knew I wanted to do that for others. I wanted to be some kind of mentor or resource to youth who need a little bit of a helping hand the same way I did. I found this position opening by total chance, and I could not be more grateful I took it.