UCSB Student Officer Team
The UCSB student officers are an integral part of The Thriving Initiative. As students, they graciously dedicate their time to ensure our programs are accessible to students and community members of all identities. Scroll through to meet our student officers and read about how they support our mission.
Laura Morales(she/her)
UCSB Chapter President of Operations
Laura is the UCSB President of operations for the Thriving Initiative. She is a fourth-year student majoring in cultural anthropology and minoring in applied psychology. On the weekends, she is keen on making boba, decoupaging, writing short stories, having picnics at the park, and learning how to redesign old clothes! Some self-care activities she partakes in include aromatherapy and dance, which she feels are freeing for both the mind and body. Laura’s favorite thing about Thriving is how participants are able to navigate through the workshops according to their comfort levels and are supported regardless of where they stand in their healing journeys.
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Contact: lmorales@thethrivinginitiative.org
Visala Tallavarjula (she/her)
UCSB Vice President of Operations
& Co-Facilitator
Visala is the UCSB Vice President of the UCSB Thriving Initiative Chapter and an undergraduate workshop co-facilitator. She is a fourth-year student at UC Santa Barbara majoring in environmental studies. She is passionate about working with survivors because she feels alternative forms of healing are integral to helping all who have experienced interpersonal violence and would like to help facilitate that. Visala is currently involved with multiple other organizations and boards on campus, including the Environmental Justice Alliance and The Women’s Network at UCSB! Her favorite part of her role as a Program Co-Facilitator is seeing how much the participants are helped through the work of the providers and is thankful for getting the opportunity to be a part of their healing journeys!
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“I love being a co-facilitator because I get to see my participants grow and heal together and I feel so thankful for being able to join them on this journey!”
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Contact: visala@thethrivinginitiative.org
Vanessa Fonseca (she/her)
Officer of Marketing & Social Media
Vanessa is a fourth-year Spanish and Art, double major. She is excited to be a part of the Thriving Initiative team and spread the word about the program's healing and inclusive spaces for the UCSB community. She has prior experience working as a social media coordinator and creating traditional and digital artwork. She also watches anime and plays video games in her free time. Check out our Instagram (@thethrivinginitative) to see some of Vanessa's work! Fun fact: Her artwork was printed on CAB's shirts when she won their art/non-profit sponsorship project!
Contact: vfonseca@thethrivinginitiative.org