Meet the Student Health and Wellness Center Team

I grew up in Sacramento, CA, and am a proud Los Rios graduate, earning my AA degree from Cosumnes River College. I transferred on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UC Davis and a Master of Social Work degree from UC Berkeley. I have worked in the social services, health, and education fields for over 26 years. I believe deeply in the power of prevention and early intervention to remove barriers to learning and ensure students achieve their educational and career goals. On a more personal note, my husband and I have two daughters, one in college and the other in high school, and a very snuggly dog and cat. In my free time, I enjoy walking our dog, water activities, reading a good book, and a great cup of coffee.

My name is Taylor Johnson. I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist and have been working in the field of mental health for over 10 years. My passion is to support individuals with compassion to introduce them to tools and strategies so they can find solutions, reach their goals and create positive change. I believe therapy is a place you can come as you are and share your authentic self. In my personal life, I love spending time with my family, friends and my two dogs. I love being outdoors, but also enjoy binge watching a good TV show.

My name is Michele Arnott and I have been working as an RN at American River College Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) since 2014. I am a proud alumnus of University of Hawaii at Manoa and received my Master’s in Nursing from Cal State University Sacramento. The first student health and wellness center I worked at was Orange Coast College (OCC) 20+ years ago! My career took several twists and turns after leaving OCC but my passion never wavered, and I am thankful to be back serving community college students at ARC!

When I am not at work I am spending time with family and friends, figuring out where I can travel to next, and finding ways to be in or on water!

Hello! My name is Nadiah. I received my second Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 2021 from California State University, Sacramento, the first one being in Biology in 2011 from the University of Nevada, Reno. I completed several of my nursing program prerequisites at Sacramento City College!

I have worked in many areas in nursing since graduating, including community clinic, public health, and post-acute care. I think these various experiences have helped me become a well-rounded nurse. No matter the setting, as a nurse, my focus remains on really listening to the patient and helping them address their needs with compassion, respect, and an open mind.

Outside of my work life, I enjoy local traveling, bike riding, and hanging out at home with my husband and two cats.

I am Monica Cummings and I'm the Mental Health Clinician Supervisor at American River College. As a Filipinx-American Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, my therapeutic approach is deeply driven and rooted in empathy, social justice, equity, inclusion and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities. My goal is to create a safe and inclusive space where students can access the support they need to thrive academically and personally. I have experience supporting college students with a wide range of academic, psychological, and personal challenges. Additionally, I have worked in private practice, providing individual, couples, and family therapy. Aside from being a therapist, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking homemade meals, exercising, and being a bookworm.

Hello, my name is Maria. I am currently attending Sacramento State University and I am an intern at ARC. I have lived in Sacramento my entire life and I couldn't imagine living or serving any other community. I am working towards receiving my master's degree in social work and I want to support others in their journey towards reaching their goals. I am interested in community-based mental health and restorative justice. Outside of work/school, I enjoy running and trying out new Pinterest recipes. I also enjoy going on walks, going to new coffee shops in the Sacramento area, and spending time with my family.

Hello! I am Kayla, a First-Generation Hmong American fluent in both Hmong and English. I earned my AA from Sacramento City College and completed my BA in Psychology at UC Merced. I am currently in my third year of graduate studies at the University of San Francisco, where I'm pursuing a degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy.

I deeply believe in the power of therapy as a means of healing. We all encounter challenges that feel overwhelming and beyond our control. My goal is to support and guide individuals in transforming these challenges into manageable aspects of their lives. I am committed to being empathetic and compassionate, creating a supportive space where clients can be their authentic selves.

In my personal life, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family and two dogs.

Mychi and family, along with 178 other people, escaped Vietnam in a cargo boat in March 1987. She lived in Malaysia and Philippines refugee camps as a teenager for over a year. Since their arrival in America in 1988, Mychi's parents reminded their five children that it is important to work hard and get a college education to have a better life than theirs.

Mychi is the first person in her family to attend college, specifically American River College in the early 90s. She utilized support and campus resources – such as the Learning Resource Center and the Counseling Center – and completed her general education. Mychi then transferred to California State University of Sacramento, completed her bachelor's degree in psychology, earned a master's degree in social work, and became a licensed clinical social worker.

Mychi has extensive experience in providing mental health services to children, adults, and families from a culturally diverse population and communities with low levels of care to high needs. Mychi strongly believes mental health is as important as physical health, and she is very passionate about providing a safe space for individuals to voice their struggles, gain insight, learn skills to balance emotions, improve relationships, manage stress, process trauma, grief, and loss to reduce psychological suffering. Mychi considers herself an integrated mental health therapist and uses different evidence-based practices, such as Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Mychi is currently serve students at the ARC campus, and she attempts to customize her clinical skills to meet each student's needs and support them to move forward with their academic goals.

Hi! My name is Michael Gentry and I'm excited to be one of the interns here in the Los Rios Community College District. After completing my Bachelors in Psychology and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in 2017, I am now pursuing my Clinical Psychology PsyD at California Northstate University. In the past, I have worked with diverse groups of adults and adolescents in Austin, Texas (my hometown!) and Baltimore, Maryland, but I have found that I particularly enjoy working with college students! I have spent much of my career addressing mental health crises, driven by a deep commitment to suicide prevention and improving access to mental health resources for everyone, regardless of income level. I take great joy in supporting others through compassion and helping them discover the tools they need to find happiness. If you're looking for additional support, please reach out to our center!

Welcome! My name is Teresa Juarez and I go by Tjay. I am super excited to be the Mental Health Advocate at ARC! I was born and raised in Sacramento, California. I have my Bachelor's in Sociology from California State University, Sacramento. I have 6.5 years of experience working in the mental health field with children, teens, adults, and their families. I am passionate about breaking the stigmas of mental health and barriers to getting mental health services. Some of the most difficult parts of getting support for our mental health are asking for help, accepting help, and navigating the mental health system and resources available. Just know if you are feeling overwhelmed or don't know where to get started, you are not alone. That's where I come in! I am more than happy to assist you with navigating the mental health and wellness resources available. When I am not at work you'll find me in nature, listening to music/podcasts, reading, appreciating small business artists, exploring, or spending time with my loved ones. I look forward to meeting you!

My name is Michelle Barkley, and I have been a College Nurse at Cosumnes River College since 2003. I am proud to say that I attended a community college and transferred to San Diego State University, where I received my bachelor of science degree in nursing. I have worked in various industries as a nurse, including as a school nurse/counselor and moonlighting as an Emergency Department nurse.

It has been a pleasure serving the Cosumnes River College community and Los Rios Community College District. Striving to provide the best service to our students to help them succeed with their college and life goals is my hope.

On a personal note, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family and animals (4 goats, 2 dogs and 2 cats), and gardening.

Hello everyone! My name is Gilbert Gacilan and I am the Mental Health Clinician Supervisor at Cosumnes River College. I am a First-Generation Filipino-American and college graduate, and have a passion for helping underrepresented students achieve the same dreams I had. I am a proud CRC Alumni and am excited to be serving back at the campus where my journey began. I am looking forward to supporting students to live better lives, and find success in meeting their educational and life goals! My goal is to support students in being able to tell their story, as I truly believe that YOU are the expert in your life. I take a very collaborative approach as I know each student’s need is unique. I know how taboo Mental Health can be. I want to be part of destigmatizing this topic so you are all able to obtain the support you need to not only be successful in college, but in your careers, families, and life!

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two little toddlers, playing and coaching basketball, listening to music, and I am a die-hard Sacramento Kings fan! #LightTheBeam

Colby Arguelles is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 17 years of experience working in an array of Community Mental Health settings throughout the Sacramento area. Supporting students in managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, past traumas, and adjusting to ever-changing situations are her current areas of focus. She has been with Los Rios for five years and provides in-person sessions on the CRC campus on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and virtual sessions to students across the district. Colby utilizes short-term solution-focused interventions to work towards emotional and mental stability through goals identified by the student. Colby's experience and skills gained over the years greatly support the diverse populations within our Los Rios community, and on our campuses. Colby identifies as an ally to the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.

Hello! I am a fourth-year clinical psychology doctoral student at California Northstate University. In 2020, I obtained my bachelor's degree in psychology and social behavior from the University of California, Irvine. I have experience working with diverse clients facing various mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, relationship stress, etc.

I have an empathetic and holistic approach to support that highlights the importance of creating a strong, trust-based therapeutic relationship. I firmly believe in the transformative power of a secure and safe therapeutic environment, which is the core of my practice. I am dedicated to cultivating an atmosphere that promotes safety and empathy, allowing my clients to feel at ease and hopeful as they pursue an improved quality of life.

Hi everyone, I'm Akaysia Hill and delighted to be the Mental Health Advocate at CRC! I bring a unique blend of knowledge, passion, and advocacy to my role. I obtained my BA in Psychology from California State University Northridge and my Master's in Legal and Forensic Psychology from UC Irvine. I earned my ADT in Psychology with CRC during 2019, which inspired my pursuits within higher education and student equity.

It is an honor to return home and serve my alma mater. I'm eager to connect with students from all backgrounds and hope to make an impactful difference in underserved and marginalized communities. I'm here to help shift the conversation around mental health, student conduct, and create your safe space to feel heard. I share the belief that "we are all just walking each other home" - let's walk together on your wellness journey!

In July of 2014, Ryan Nix first started work in Los Rios as a Health Services Assistant at American River College. Since then, he has worked in the Call Center, Admissions and Records, and is now the Health Services Assistant at Cosumnes River College.

Ryan advocates for the free and informed health decisions for the staff and students of the Los Rios Community College District. In his free time Ryan enjoys practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (currently a purple belt), playing guitar, and spending time with his wife and English Cocker Spaniel.

I have been with Los Rios Community College District since 2015 first as nursing faculty at American River College and more recently as a college nurse for the district. I have a bachelor's in nursing, a master's in nursing education and am currently in a doctorate of education program. I have been a registered nurse since 1988! Before student health was my passion, I worked primarily in the emergency department and a bit in public health. I am a Seattle native and have had the great fortune to have traveled extensively within the US and beyond our borders as well. I am a proud mother of one son and a darling cat.

Hi! My name is Michael Gentry and I'm excited to be one of the interns here in the Los Rios Community College District. After completing my Bachelors in Psychology and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in 2017, I am now pursuing my Clinical Psychology PsyD at California Northstate University. In the past, I have worked with diverse groups of adults and adolescents in Austin, Texas (my hometown!) and Baltimore, Maryland, but I have found that I particularly enjoy working with college students! I have spent much of my career addressing mental health crises, driven by a deep commitment to suicide prevention and improving access to mental health resources for everyone, regardless of income level. I take great joy in supporting others through compassion and helping them discover the tools they need to find happiness. If you're looking for additional support, please reach out to our center!

My name is Natalie Studzinski. I have a master's degree in science in clinical psychology and I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist. I have been working in the field of mental health for over 10 years. My approach is eclectic and holistic, drawing from various styles best suited for each individual. My passion is to support individuals who are struggling by normalizing their experiences and teaching them ways to accept their current selves by identifying their values and goals, uncovering their potential, and finding happiness.

Hi, my name is Dana and I am excited to serve as the Mental Health Advocate for the Los Rios students! I graduated with my BA in psychology from UC Davis, and I have experience providing direct mental health services, and in neuropsychological research. I have a passion for humanistic and client-centered mental health work and look forward to a more empathetic and equitable future. During my time away from work I enjoy being in nature and spending time with my cat, Sparkle.

I have been deeply passionate about working with the mental health community in Sacramento for over five years. When I was a student at Los Rios, I received amazing support as a disabled student, and I knew I wanted to return and provide that same level of care and assistance to other students in need. I have an AA from Sacramento City College and am currently working on my BA at Sacramento State University as well as a minor in LGBTQ Studies. One of my strengths is my ability to solve problems calmly and efficiently. During my free time, I enjoy working out, playing video games, reading, watching horror films, drawing, and most of all, spending time with my animals.

I am Wendy Gomez and I have been a college nurse for SCC since 2008. I started my journey at SCC as a student then transferred to CSUS to complete my bachelors in nursing and years later my Masters. My nursing career has included trauma intensive care at UCD Medical Center, school nursing for Sacramento City Unified School District, and now as a College Nurse at SCC. I love working with college students. My goal is to help students to maintain their health and to lift them up to believe in themselves.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my large Italian family and my husband's large Hispanic family, gardening, riding my ATV, and playing with my ever-growing collection of pets (three dogs, eight chickens, two goats, and four kittens). In addition, I have two handsome sons and a loving husband.

My name is Sophia Kawaguchi and I am overjoyed to be a part of the Sacramento City College Student Health and Wellness team as a registered nurse. I am a proud Japanese American originally from South Carolina. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of South Carolina Upstate and currently I am pursuing a Masters in Public Health.

Prior to Sacramento City College I worked as a college health nurse at Reed College in Portland, Oregon for 3 years. I started my nursing career in cardiac nursing at a heart hospital for several years. Eventually, my passion for learning and cultural experiences inspired me to build upon my nursing foundation by leaving my cardiac nursing career and studying abroad as an international student at Soka University of Japan.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling to experience different cultures, in the summertime I am always swimming in a body of water, and my favorite thing to do is spend time with my friends, family and sweet puppy!

Hello there! My name is Aires Adalim and I am one of the Mental Health Therapists here at Sac City College. I received my Bachelor's in Studio Art at Sac State before ultimately pursuing my Master's in Counseling Psychology at USF. I have extensive experience in working with high schoolers, youth, and young adults when it comes to strengthening their social skills, building community, and discovering the unique skill sets they possess. Due to my art background, I use the best of both worlds when it comes to creativity and counseling, as I understand the significance in how art can support one's therapeutic experience. My own mental health journey has allowed me to value the importance of empathy and knowing that we can find strength even in our struggles.

During my free time, I enjoy drawing, being in community with friends, writing spoken word, and when time permits, working on writing my story. I also enjoy public speaking and using clever wordplay when sharing my ideas with others as well.

Hi! My name is Sarah Bondy. I was born and raised in Southeast Michigan where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. I am a current graduate student at California Northstate University where I am working on earning my doctorate in psychology. In my previous positions, I have worked with teens and their families in a school setting and with adults at a private practice providing long-term therapy. I am passionate about reducing the stigma around mental health services and addressing barriers so everyone who wants support can access it. I believe therapy should be a collaboration built on compassion and trust to help individuals draw on their strengths and achieve their goals. Outside of work, I spend most of my time reading, playing board games, and spending time with my cat.

Hello! I am Kayla, a First-Generation Hmong American fluent in both Hmong and English. I earned my AA from Sacramento City College and completed my BA in Psychology at UC Merced. I am currently in my third year of graduate studies at the University of San Francisco, where I'm pursuing a degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy.

I deeply believe in the power of therapy as a means of healing. We all encounter challenges that feel overwhelming and beyond our control. My goal is to support and guide individuals in transforming these challenges into manageable aspects of their lives. I am committed to being empathetic and compassionate, creating a supportive space where clients can be their authentic selves.

In my personal life, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family and two dogs.

My name is Karen Fox, and I am an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor on the Sacramento City College campus. I got my bachelor's degree in Music from Sacramento State (stingers up!) and my master's degree in Clinical Counseling from the California School of Professional Psychology.

I enjoy supporting students in navigating life's challenges with compassion, creativity, and curiosity. Beyond the counseling room, I enjoy listening to podcasts, collecting small and silly instruments, and partaking in the unique art of picking up heavy objects and putting them back down again (some may refer to this as weightlifting).

Hey there! My name is Carley Howard, I'm a Licensed Therapist and the Mental Health Clinical Supervisor at Sacramento City College. I've been working in mental health for about seven years and have found a passion in supporting people to identify and reach their goals. I take a person-centered approach to therapy, and truly believe it's your voice and choice in your healing that matters most. My goal is to provide an environment where you feel safe and seen to come explore, process, and feel heard. In my personal life, I enjoy spending time with my family and caring for my two pups. I look forward to meeting and supporting you!

Hi! I'm Flin Oshun, an associate of social work, wrapping up my 3,000 post graduate hours needed to become a Licensed Clinical Social worker. I am also working on my dissertation for my PsyD program for Clinical Psychology. I'm a transplant to Sacramento from Los Angeles County, Compton, specifically. I attended CSULA as an undergrad, where I was introduced to therapy from an EOP counselor. I know what it's like to be a first-generation college student transitioning from one world to another. I've been practicing therapy for two years and as a transplant, millennial, and first-generation college student I have educational and lived experience to help you navigate life's challenges. Personally, I now consider myself a semi-city girl as I've fallen in love with hiking, being in nature, and riding my bike to local cafes and vintage vinyl shops.