Meet the Staff

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Professional Staff

Sam Harkness – Prevention & Education Program Manager

Hi there! I’m Sam Harkness and prefer he/him pronouns. I’ve worked in the gender-based violence field in community non-profits for 5 years, and have worked in the broader field of social work around 14 years now. I’m Seattle born and raised, which I hear is rare to come by these days, so you can call me a towny if you want. I’m very passionate about violence prevention work and specifically like to focus on engaging young men (or folks who identify as being socialized as boys/men) in violence prevention work. I love a lot of the cliché PNW activities like hiking, camping and ultimate frisbee. I have a hard time sitting still, so you might catch me walking around all over campus or running sprint workouts on the soccer field during my lunch break. Feel free to stop by and say hi or email to get in touch – shark9@uw.edu!

Ruth Medina – Confidential Advocate

Hello! I use she/ her pronouns and I’m a WA state licensed clinical social work associate, Alta language certified (Spanish) with trauma-focused CBT skills. I completed my MSW from the UW school of social work and double majored in Society Ethics and Human Behavior/Global Studies with a double minor in Human Rights/Education and Society from UW Bothell, after receiving my AA transfer degree from Cascadia Community College. My professional background is in conducting psychosocial, risk assessments and crisis interventions when working in our local hospitals from Evergreen Health and Providence to Harborview Medical Center; safety is also one of my core values after working investigations with Child Protective Services. Fun fact about me; I love advocacy work! You can find me on the UWB webpage for being one of the first recipients of the Husky 100 award after advocating for parenting resources at UWB. In my spare time I love being outdoors and spending time with mi familia at our beautiful tree nursery. Contact me at medinar1@uw.edu.

Melissa Tumas – Associate Director

Hi UWB! I use she/her pronouns and I’m originally from Dearborn/Detroit, Michigan. I moved to Seattle for city life, ocean, and mountains. My career began as a peer health educator at Michigan State University, and I later earned my Master of Public Health from Oregon State University. While I started in HIV/ AIDS education and non-profits, the majority of my professional experience has been in higher education, where I’ve worked as a survivor advocate and prevention educator. I am inspired by students, the college environment and bring an anti-oppression and trauma-informed lens to my work while centering students’ voices. In recent years, I’ve also become a documentary filmmaker, video editor, and producer. I believe deeply in the power of storytelling to foster empathy, build understanding, and inspire social change. I am a fan of science fiction novels, cooking with pals, yoga, and outdoorsy adventures. Email to get in touch – tumasm@uw.edu.

Student Staff – Peer Health Educators/ HEROs

Diana Boyzo, HERO

Hi everyone! I’m Diana. My pronouns are she/her. I am currently preparing for a healthcare program while attending Cascadia College. I have been volunteering at the VOAWW Lake Stevens Community Resource Center since 2024, helping prepare community events and supporting the community around me! My goal is to complete my education so I can build a career in healthcare, where I can keep learning and helping others. Outside of college/work, I enjoy thrifting and finding cute, unique things with friends! As a HERO, I enjoy connecting with my team, being involved in the Cascadia Community, and getting to know the people around me! I hope to create a welcoming and helpful environment for everyone!

Pax Cho, HERO

Hello! I’m Pax (they/them) and I am a peer health educator (or HERO) here at Cascadia! I am planning to major in astronomy and have been working here at the Health and Wellness Resource Centre (HaWRC) since 2026. I have had customer experiences and worked with people at Sushi Spott in Mill Creek and Lynnwood. I have also been a LINK Leader back at NCHS where I helped new freshmen understand the school and show them around campus while playing games and doing group activities for a year. Healthy Relationships is the topic I want to work with as a HERO because it’s a broad topic that has a lot to learn about. I want to help other students learn more about it and offer resources that show what healthy relationships are and aren’t and how to navigate through it. When I’m not working or at school, I like to make art, crochet, and sing! If you see me around, don’t be afraid to say hi! 🙂

Kasey Liberty, HERO

My name is Kasey Liberty, they/them or xe/xir/xem pronouns. This is my first year as a HERO and I’m really excited to be a part of the health education team! My major is Global Studies and with that I’m planning to go into teaching as a secondary Social Studies teacher. Throughout my college career, I have been involved in student clubs, usually focused on education and awareness. At Everett Community College, I started and was president of the Neurodivergent Student Support Club for two years, which really shaped my leadership skills. I was also a member and then the first student co-chair of the Equity and Social Justice Committee. At UWB, I started Igniting Liberation Reading Club during my first quarter, as I became more interested in political theory and education. My greatest goal is to be able to help people as a resource and share my own knowledge, which is why I recently switched career goals from medicine to teaching, and I am excited to be able to do that as a HERO. At home, I am married to my wife and have four children, one who passed away in 2021. I also have two cats and three guinea pigs, and next year I will be embarking on the journey of raising and training a service dog. If I did have any free time, I would be reading, crocheting, or maybe even playing video games.

Kelsie Ngoc Do, HERO

Hi there! My name is Kelsie, and I use she/her pronouns. I’m a Health Studies major, and this is my first year as a HERO at the HaWRC! My past experience includes working as a pharmacy technician, bobarista, and teaching intern. I also currently serve as an Apartment Advisor in our campus housing. I’m passionate about supporting underserved communities and hope to become a physician assistant. My next goal is to work as a CNA and eventually transition into an Emergency Department Technician role to gain hands-on patient care experience for PA school. Outside of school and work, I enjoy watching gaming videos, singing, drawing, and feeding the ducks!

Sanya Sahni, HERO

Hi! I’m Sanya, I use she/her pronouns, and I’m majoring in Psychology. I’ve been a peer health educator (HERO) at the Health & Wellness Resource Center since 2025. Working here has sparked my interest in public health and helped me understand how people’s experiences and access to resources shape their well-being. I especially enjoy connecting with fellow students and helping them find support. Mental health has been my favorite topic to explore as a HERO, and I hope to work in the mental health field in the future. Outside of work and school, I love painting, reading, trying out new recipes, and occasionally baking. Feel free to stop by the HaWRC and say hi!

Tracy Woart, HERO

Hi my name is Tracy, I use she/her pronouns, I am a graduate student studying community health and social justice in the school of Nursing and Health Studies. I have been a health advocate both in my personal life and my academic career. I am excited to learn and advocate for UW students as a Health Educator (HERO). A few of my favorite hobbies are snuggling with a soft blanket and a good book. I love to cook and recently am getting into embroidery.

Student Staff – Student Advisory Group

About Us

PHW is a department that encompasses the Health & Wellness Resource Center and the Violence Prevention & Advocacy services. The mission of Prevention, Health and Wellness is to advance the holistic well-being of students and the broader campus community through comprehensive, student-centered services. We are committed to fostering a culture of wellness and empowerment by providing direct support, evidence-informed education, professional training, and accessible resources. Grounded in trauma-informed principles, we serve individuals as whole people—supporting their physical, emotional, and social health to promote resilience and success.