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Jessica Gray is the Coordinator for Student Wellness & Academic Success at the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. She supports college students in strengthening their well-being, managing stress, and building confidence—key skills for both academic and personal success. Jessica is passionate about helping students develop lifelong tools for resilience, self-advocacy, and balance, believing that a strong foundation in mental wellness empowers them to thrive not just in college, but in every stage of life.
Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in? Like something about you was just too different? In this fun and inspiring session, students will learn that confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. Through real talk, reflection, and bold declarations, we’ll explore how the very things that feel embarrassing or awkward might actually be your greatest strengths. You’ll leave this session with tools to speak truth over yourself, walk boldly in who you are, and stop shrinking to fit in. Because the most powerful thing you can be… is you.
I am a nursing faculty member at Michigan State University College of Nursing for 11 years and have been a nurse for 29 years. My professional focus centers on promoting the mental and physical health of college students, with a particular emphasis on supporting the self-care and well-being of nursing students. I am passionate about preparing the next generation of nurses through evidence-based teaching and holistic student support.
Self-care is essential for young women as it helps build resilience, supports mental and physical health, and empowers them to manage stress, set boundaries, and thrive during critical years of growth and development.
“There’s no competition between the sun ☀️ and the 🌙 moon, they both shine when it’s their turn.” Hi 👋🏼 I’m Ciara Hines and yoga is my passion! Given the opportunity, I’m elated to guide you through a flow that is uniquely me with added flair from mentors and students along the way. Yoga is much more than body movement; it’s a lifestyle that honors safe spaces, connects students to self and community; and opens our hearts. See ya on your mat! Namaste ✌🏽
Through fun, easy-to-follow poses and calming breathwork, you’ll learn how to… Build strength in your body and confidence in your heart. Feel connected to the girls around you—supporting and lifting each other up Stay calm and brave, even when things feel challenging
Tanya Panizzo has been teaching self-defense and personal safety for 20 years. She is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has spent the last two decades helping people from all walks of life develop safety skills. A former engineer for the automotive industry, Tanya left her job to open Fighting Spirit Personal Safety as well as her martial arts school. Her devotion to helping others find their personal power is one she loves to share!
Workshop Description: An introduction to self-defense and personal safety. Students will learn they have the right to defend themselves, they’ll engage in verbal drills and they’ll also practice physical skills on padded targets. This is a multi-sensory session to inspire students to learn more about safety.
Theresa Rosado is a visual artist and cultural organizer whose work blends painting, printmaking, and community engagement. Her art has been nationally recognized, including publication in Latin American Women Artists of the United States (Greenwood Press), and explores identity, land, and ancestral memory. As founder of Casa de Rosado Galeria & Cultural Center, she led culturally rooted arts programming in central Michigan for over 5,000 community members in 2024—primarily Title 1 students of color. Through projects like the Xochitlo Conuco Ancestors Garden mural, Rosado connects visual storytelling with ancestral knowledge and the healing power of place.
Workshop Description: In this three-day Gelli printmaking workshop, girls will explore empowerment through art, focusing on body positivity, identity, and transforming negative self-talk into affirming, healthy self-expression. Participants will explore how identity, family, social expectations, and media shape their self-image—and create new, affirming visual narratives through Gelli printmaking. Each session invites participants to reflect on their unique experiences, using sketchbooks to collect empowering words, affirmations, and ideas inspired by diverse artists who use positivity as a creative tool. Girls will use Gelli printing techniques to layer color, pattern, and language into deeply personal works of art. Over the course of the workshop, each participant will create a body of printed work including their own empowerment statement. Approximately 10 minutes of each 1 hour session includes instruction and inspiration for each project. 50 minutes is spent creating pieces- 30 minutes to sketch, 10-20 minutes to print. The final day will give each student time to complete a group project as well as individual prints. The workshop culminates in the creation of a large collaborative group piece, visually expressing the shared themes of growth, resilience, and self-love. On the final day, families are invited to an exhibit featuring each girl’s individual work and the collective print. Participants will have the opportunity to share their reflections, speak about their process, and model the transformative power of turning internal challenges into visual strength. This hands-on, reflective art space is designed to support confidence, creative expression, and meaningful connection.
Haley joined the Financial Education department in 2023. Prior to that, she received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Michigan State University and taught elementary education. She has combined her background in education and finance to add state standards to lessons and presentations impacting several schools in the area
Workshop Description: The Price Is Right opens by defining what a consumer is and the differences between goods and services. The lesson continues with a game that asks attendees to guess the price of an item shown and then identify if the item is a need, want, good, or service. The game and session conclude with tips to practice identifying goods and services in their daily lives.
Kathleen is an experienced educator with over 27 years of expertise. In the classroom, she shapes young minds and fosters a love for learning. Passionate about baking, she creates delightful treats that bring joy to her community. With her background and love for both teaching and baking, Kathleen nourishes minds and bellies alike.
Workshop Description:Have you ever doubted yourself? You’re not alone. But self-doubt doesn’t have to hold you back. Using what I like to call “Jayaraman’s 5 Cs Approach,” you can overcome obstacles and accomplish nearly anything in life.
Maria Serrato is the Outreach, Advising, and Retention Coordinator for students from marginalized backgrounds pursuing the pre-veterinary track in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities from MSU’s College of Arts and Letters and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) program. In 2017, Maria founded CALY (Capital Area Latina Youth), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Latina middle and high school students in the Lansing area through education, cultural pride, and leadership development. She also serves as President of the Latino Spartans Alumni group and has a longstanding passion for working with youth from elementary through college. Maria is committed to advancing students in their education and ensuring they are connected to meaningful opportunities and resources. Supporting youth and young adults from diverse backgrounds is not just her profession, it is her life’s work.
Workshop Description: In this interactive workshop, students will explore how emotions shape our actions and how we can learn to bounce back when things don’t go our way. Through fun icebreakers, journaling, and group reflection, participants will build self-awareness, talk about real-life challenges, and leave with tools to manage feelings in healthy ways. It’s all about turning tough moments into
Dr. Samantha Vaive (she/her) is a sexual health educator, with a PhD in Psychology. Drawing on her experience working with at-risk youth and families, Dr. Vaive creates engaging, age-appropriate consent education rooted in compassion, and real-world application. She developed the Ice Cream Sundae Consent Workshop to help young people understand that consent is a vital skill for everyone, at every age, in every type of relationship.
Workshop Description: Ice Cream Sundae Consent Workshops use hands-on activities to teach kids about boundaries, consent, and healthy communication. Participants build ice cream sundaes for their partners, learning how to give and receive consent in a fun and age-appropriate way. The workshop ends with a small-group debrief that encourages reflection and reinforces key takeaways.
Allie Etzin, LMSW-C (she/her) is a clinical social worker whose passion areas include eating disorder recovery and body liberation. A 2x graduate of MSU with her BA in Social Relations & Policy and her Masters in Social Work specializing in Evidence Based Adolescent Trauma Treatment, Allie is a Spartan through and through. After working in Philadelphia as a mental health therapist for a few years, Allie has returned to her alma mater as a Residential Student Care Coordinator. Whether it be in a therapy session, classroom, or just catching up with friends, Allie aims to create an environment that promotes vulnerability, growth, and radical self-love. This goal is rooted in her experience surviving an eating disorder and living to see full recovery–something she never thought was possible. Through her work, Allie hopes to move past cliche conversations of body positivity and into what it means to be your body’s biggest ally and advocate. Outside of work and advocacy, Allie enjoys cooking, being with animals, and tending to her excessive number of plants.
Workshop Description: This session invites participants to embrace the rich diversity of how our bodies exist and express themselves in the world. From variations in race, size, and mobility to differences in gender identity, expression, and ability, body diversity is not a flaw to be fixed but a reality to be honored and celebrated. Our bodies were never meant to look, move, or function in the same way—and that is something to be affirmed, not resisted. Instead of striving for an ‘ideal’ body (whatever that means!), this session will focus on normalizing, accepting, and uplifting the beautiful and varied ways our bodies show up. Together, we’ll explore what it means to foster body allyship and create spaces where all bodies belong.
I am a special education advocate through the Arc of Mid Michigan. I work with schools and families to create an in-depth IEP or 504, BIP, etc. to support the student in the school environment.
Workshop Description: We will be covering what bullying is, what it looks like, and what to do if you see it. We will also discuss invisible disabilities, what they might be and look like, and how to help those with disabilities.
Angelica Bajos is the Community and Sustainability Coordinator at the Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum. Her love for nature and wellbeing drives her passion to create and sustain safe(r) greenspaces. Angelica’s lived experience inspired her to help develop Beal’s Nurture Your Roots Program and other programming that create opportunities to connect people, plants, and place.
Workshop Description: Outdoor experience: engage with Beal’s mindfulness Rooting Stations/ tour the garden Indoor experience: Short presentation on Beal’s Nurture Your Roots Program & talk about the benefits of connecting with nature. If the weather cooperates the 8th and 9th graders will be walking with their mentor and volunteers to the Beal Botanical Gardens
Avvan received her B.A. in Psychology with double minors in; Health Promotions and Organizational Leadership, as well as her Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Michigan State University. Before working at Center for Survivors, Avvan had worked extensively with ESL (English Second Language) Students, MSU students at CAPS (Counseling & Psychiatric Services), and MSU Student Athletes. Avvan’s professional interests and passions within social work include: Higher Education, multicultural therapy approaches, removing barriers for BIPOC individuals, trauma-informed care, athlete mental health, immigrant & refugee resettlement, as well as integrative clinical work. Avvan believes that everyone is deserving of healing and is honored to be able to provide support and encouragement through a trauma-informed approach to clients. She is nationally certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), as well as Acudetox (Ear Acupuncture) to aid in trauma informed therapy in addition to more traditional supportive therapy. Avvan holds a certificate in Sport Social Work from the University of Michigan (2022). Outside of work Avvan enjoys laughing, volunteering at Lansing’s Refugee Development Center, traveling domestically and internationally, reading on her kindle, moving her body through yoga and group fitness, spending quality time with friends and family, and taking walks along the Banks of the Red Cedar.
Workshop Description: In this session we will have some time to talk about emotions – how to identify them and notice how we process them in our body
