Advocacy & Violence Prevention Staff

Jess has worked at WSU’s Safe@Weber since Summer 2019 as the Safe@Weber Advocate, and now is the Program Administrator. Before WSU, Jess worked as a shelter services advocate at the Domestic Violence Intervention Program in Iowa City as well as a Healthy Relationships and Art Instructor at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. Jess has earned her Master’s of Fine Arts in Sculpture, Master’s of Arts in Intermedia Art, and a Graduate Certificate in Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Iowa. Jess is also an AMGA-certified climbing instructor and has created trauma-informed rock climbing clinics for survivors. She is passionate about the connections between advocacy, rock climbing, and art. Jess loves supporting survivors and is also an avid backpacker, hiker, and dog mom.

An alum of Weber State, Mercedes received her Bachelor of Political Science and Women & Gender Studies in 2017 and Master of Professional Communication in 2023. She has been working in the victim advocacy and violence prevention realm for 10 years in the higher education and nonprofit sectors in both Utah and Alabama. In her free time, Mercedes enjoys reading, writing, singing, dancing, kickboxing, and obsessing over her calico, Georgie. 

Emily is the newest member of the Safe@Weber team, and comes with a background of advocacy for the past three years, and a passion for education. Originally hailing from the Central Valley of California, Emily got her Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a Family Life minor in 2019, and recently started an online Master’s of Sociology program through Texas A&M Commerce. When not at work, she is often cross-stitching, listening to music, watching 90’s horror films, being near water, experimenting with food, or talking as fast as a Gilmore Girl.

Jess is new to the Safe@Weber team, and comes with five years of experience in health promotion in the higher education sector. She earned dual bachelor's degrees in psychology and human development, and a Master of Public Health from Cal State San Bernardino. As a native Spanish speaker, she is passionate about increasing access to resources for underserved communities. In her free time, Jess enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and talking about sexual and reproductive health topics.

Jade joined Safe@Weber as a Peer Educator in Fall 2025. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychological Science with a minor in Neuroscience. Jade is involved in community-based participatory research exploring dating behaviors and intimate partner violence within LGBTQ+
populations. She has previous experience working in mental health treatment and currently trains service dogs for the nonprofit 4 Paws for Patriots- Utah. Jade has three dogs who are the loves of her life, and she enjoys reading, writing, and drinking iced coffee!

Jade is passionate about educating in a way that creates safety and understanding while promoting empathy.

James has worked as a Peer Educator student staff since August 2025, and volunteered in the Safe@Weber center for a year prior. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and works as a social worker outside of this office. He is passionate about helping underserved communities and individuals, the rights and history of people with disabilities and children, and social trends throughout history.

Willow joined Safe@Weber as a Peer Educator in Fall 2025. Working towards a bachelor's in Sociology with a minor in Queer Studies, Willow keeps herself busy on campus. From GSA to WSUSA, they always love helping to plan events for the student body. They are passionate about advocacy and social change, and spend their free time engaging in DIY fashion, fandom/fantasy writing projects, and casual gaming of any and all kinds.