Dr. Karen Calfas, Assistant Vice Chancellor – Student Wellness

kcalfas@ucsd.edu
858-822-7552

 

After an extensive national search, psychologist and San Diego State University professor, Dr. Karen Calfas was selected to fill the newly created position of Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Wellness, in which she will oversee the expansion and promotion of the four-year-old Student Affairs Wellness Initiative. Calfas will manage the wellness cluster, an interdisciplinary group of student services that includes Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, the Sexual Assault Resource Center, Recreation, and the Wellness Center.

 

Calfas has been part of the SDSU faculty as a full professor and has been directing the department of Health Promotion under Student Health Services since 1992. She is an adjunct professor and program faculty in the department of psychology at SDSU and in the Joint Doctoral Program in clinical psychology at SDSU and at UCSD since 1990.  She also has been an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Public Health since 2005 and an assistant clinical professor at the department of family and preventive medicine at UCSD since 1994.

 

Calfas received her doctorate in 1990 from UCSD and her bachelor’s in 1985 from Pacific Lutheran University, in Tacoma, Wash.  She has been a licensed psychologist in the state of California since 1993.

In the news:
@UCSD: Campus Names New Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Wellness

The Guardian: Wellness Program Expands With Appointment of New AVC

Dr. Jerry Phelps - Acting Director, Wellness Center

jsphelps@ucsd.edu

858-822-7551

  

Before coming to work at UC San Diego, Dr. Phelps completed his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and his Ph.D. at the University of Colorado at Boulder. His experiences range from behavioral medicine to family therapy to student wellness.

Favorite Wellness Tip: "Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the clouds, everything." Thich Nhat Hanh

Fun Factoid About Yourself:  I have had an organic vegetable garden for 10 years. I am passionate about local, organic and sustainable food.

 
     

Brenda Jaleel - Management Services Officer

bjaleel@ucsd.edu

858-822-7553

  

Brenda comes to the Student Wellness Cluster from Environmental Health and Safety where she was the Business Operations Manager responsible for leadership and management of daily operations for financial, administration and human resource functions. Brenda has an MBA from Athabasca University and an M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Leadership from Jones International University. 

Favorite Wellness Tip: Remember the 8 dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, spiritual, social, occupational, financial, intellectual, and environmental.

 

Torrey Trust - Wellness Coordinator

ttrust@ucsd.edu

858-822-7618

  

Education: UC San Diego - Marshall College '07, Currently pursuing an M.A. in Educational Technology at SDSU

Favorite Wellness Tip: Spend some time in nature at least once a week (watch the sunset at the cliffs, walk through the Eucalyptus grove, go surfing). Looking around at the beauty and magnitude of nature will help you relax and forget about your worries, even if just for a few moments.

Fun Factoid About Yourself: I started the first ever eco-friendly surfing company in San Diego (using biofoam boards, bamboo towels, organic sunscreen) with a goal of spreading environmental awareness and saving acres of rainforest. In the company's first year, we held 50 beach clean ups and saved 72 acres of rainforest.

Wellness Interns

Sarah Stewart

College: Warren

Year: 5th

Major: Physiology/Neuroscience

Favorite Wellness Tip: Exercising daily improves your mood and ability to focus.

Fun Factoid About Yourself: I love to play outside!

 

 

 

Maranda Maroe

College: Marshall

Year: Junior

Major: Human Development with a Minor in Education Studies

Favorite Wellness Tip: Regardless of how busy your life feels, always make time to do what makes you happy.

Fun Factoid About Yourself: I often listen to my all-time favorite artist Jack Johnson to de-stress and had one of the best moments of my life when I met him last Spring.

 

 

Christine Feng

College: Revelle

Year: Junior

Major: Biochemistry & Cell Biology

Favorite Wellness Tip: Take the stairs instead of the elevator and walk to your classes!

Fun Factoid About Yourself: I like paintballing and traveling. :)

 

 

 

Brianna Lee

College: Marshall

Year: Senior

Major: Communications

Favorite Wellness Tip: I try to eat either fruits or vegetables with every meal, so I can fulfill the recommended servings of fruits and veggies per day!

Fun Factoid About Yourself: I love spending time with my dog. He is a big, furry German Shepherd who loves to play!

 

 

Ryan Potter

College: Muir

Year: Junior

Major: Ecology, Behavior, & Evolution

Favorite Wellness Tip: SMILE!!! It's contagious and people will think something is going on. =D

Fun Factoid About Yourself: I love being me and making a name for myself; I dare to be different.

 


Gina Tang

College: Revelle
Year: Junior
Major: Literature/Writing
Favorite Wellness Tip: Chew. Breathe. Listen.
Fun Factoid About Yourself: I am practically undefeated in thumb-wrestling.

 

 

Ricsie Hernandez

College: Revelle
Year: 4th Year
Major: Double major in Ethnic Studies and Political Science
Favorite Wellness Tip: Nap! =) Napping improves alertness, performance, and mood! It's a great way to re-energize during the day!
Fun Factoid About Yourself: I LOVE being spontaneous and adventurous! I also grew up less than 10 miles from Yosemite National Park and thus have this immense admiration for nature.

 

 

Sarah Raifsnider

College: Marshall

Year: Junior

Major: Art History & Anthropological Archaeology with a minor in European Studies

Favorite Wellness Tip: My favorite wellness tip is to go to bed at around the same time everynight and sleep 7-8 hours.

Fun Factoid About Yourself: I'm a lifelong learner!