Meet Our Navigators!
Hi, my name is Faith and I am the Graduate Assistant at L4L's Food 4 Thought Pantry. I received my BA in Psychology from RIC in 2020 and am currently pursuing my MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This is my second year both in my graduate program and at L4L. My favorite hobbies are arts & crafts as well as spending time in nature. I'm particularly passionate about my faith, the LGBTQ+ community, and (as my education suggests) mental health. While at Food 4 Thought this year, I hope to help break the stigma surrounding food insecurity as well as spread awareness about hunger on campus. I love school and I love people!?
Hi, my name is Ella Garrett. I am a first year graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Masters Program at RIC. I was born and raised in New York City and received my BA in Psychology at The New School in 2019. My hobbies include baking, painting, going to the beach, and spending lots of time with family. I am super excited to be a part of the RIC community and am dedicated to helping students around me reach their full potential!
Hi, my name is Elena Coccio and I am a navigator at Learning 4 Life. I am currently in the social work program. I am passionate about thrifting, friends, knitting and family time! especially Sunday dinner. While working at L4L I hope to help not only the students coming in to see us but my fellow students working a long side me. I struggled with school so giving back and helping students the way i was helped is so important for me. I'm excited!
Hello, my name is Destiny! I am in my second (and last) year of the master's program in Psychology. I am a lead navigator at L4L for a second year. I received my B.A in Psychology from RIC and I am a Rhode Island native. I love being creative, learning and helping others. I wanted to become a navigator to provide students with resources that they need to be great and successful both inside and outside of academia. When I was an undergrad I was a scholar and it feels great to do for others what was done for me.
My name is John Pino and I'm a Lead Navigator for L4L. I was born and raised in Miami and recently relocated to Providence to begin graduate school. I'm currently in the School Psychology program. I was born and raised in Miami and recently relocated to Providence. My hobbies are reading, going on hikes, kayaking, and bodyboarding. Causes that are important to me are environmental conversation, ending the patriarchal mindset in society, and working towards immigration reform. I'm excited for a great year at L4L!
Hi! My name is Tessa (she/her), I am a Navigator and graduate student in the School of Social Work. This is my first year with L4L and I am honored to collaborate with students. The demands of college are overwhelming, and I am here to hold space to talk and provide resources that promote success. When I am not in the office, you can find me in nature – either by the beach or on a hike. Looking forward to a great year together!
Hi! My name is Tiana. I am a Lead navigator for Learning For Life (L4L). I am in my first year of the Clinical Master of Social Work program. I graduated from RIC with a double major B.S. and B.A. in Chemical Dependency and Addiction Studies (CDAS) and Psychology as well as a minor in Queer Studies. I hope to one day have my own private practice. I love writing, solving puzzles and codes, and Disney/Pixar. At L4L, I want to be a support for my scholars to succeed in reaching their goals.
Hello! My name is Aaron and I am a senior here at RIC. This is my first year as a Navigator here at L4L and I look forward to the journey ahead of me! I'm excited to learn more about L4L and to work with scholars and help them reach their goals. During my free time I enjoy playing video games, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family. I'm also a huge cat lover
Hi! My name is Becca. I recently graduated with my BA in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island and am a first-year graduate student in the CAGS School Psychology Program. I am a brand-new Lead Navigator and a first time RIC student. I am excited to connect with my new RIC and broader Rhode Island community through L4L. I am passionate about supporting people from all different walks of life towards finding and achieving their own personal version of success. When not in class I love discovering new restaurants and learning about the culture of food. I also have a particular fondness for caring and learning about animals, especially cats. I cannot wait to start and grow with everyone on this journey with RIC and L4L!
My name is Vida and I am a BSW student in the School of Social Work. I am a L4L Navigator as well. I like helping, listening, and shopping. I have become a Navigator to connect students with resources they will need to help ease the load off their shoulders. Welcome to L4L
Hi my name is Melissa Gonzalez, I am from Providence. I graduated from Rhode Island College with a bachelors degree and I am currently back at RIC for my Masters degree in Social Work. I am dedicated to helping others succeed and love to see others accomplishing goals and following dreams. I love to read and learn new things! Fun fact my name means honey bee?
Hi, my name is Dillan and I am a freshman leaning towards pursuing social work as my major. I am a L4L representative, and I am thrilled to be a part of something that will help scholars feel welcome, safe, and heard throughout their college journey. I love socializing, listening to music, and shopping!
Hello my name is Destiny Austin, I am a junior here at RIC, and my field of study is medical imaging; I would hope to be an OB Ultrasound sonographer some day. I'm a quiet person at first but once you start talking to me and I get comfortable, it’s really hard to stop talking. I am a person of many talents, for one I can sing, I used to perform but I stopped because I believed that if it’s not something I would like to pursue in the long run why should I keep doing it. Honestly, I feel the same about doing hair. I'm quite good at it but I just rather not pursue it full time. My favorite thing to do is eat and be around positive people. Working here already I've met so many amazing people. If I haven’t met you yet I hope to meet you soon!
Hi my name is Hannah and I am a Lead Navigator and first year Masters of Social Work student. I earned my Bachelors of Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience where I quickly became passionate about helping those in my community. I value the role of support and teamwork in success and hope to make a difference as a Lead Navigator here at RIC. I enjoy hiking, being outdoors, and playing with my kitten!
I'm Bethany McGinnis, a first year Grad Student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Masters program here at RIC. It's also my first year working as a Lead Navigator at Learning for Life and I'm thrilled to be working with the campus community. My undergraduate degree is Philosophy from Manhattan College and after graduation I explored working in the worlds of integrated wellness, fair trade, organic agriculture and building alternative food supply systems. Some of the things that I enjoy doing in my free time are family hikes in the woods with our dog, watching films and thrifting for pre-loved treasures. Upon graduation and licensure, I'd like to continue my education in the emerging field of psychedelic assisted therapies to treat depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Hello, I’m Erin. I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Winthrop University in South Carolina with a minor in Humanities. I am currently in the School Psychology master’s program at Rhode Island College. Some of my favorite things are dogs, music, and spending time outdoors. I started my work at Learning for Life because I am passionate about mental health and providing support to our students. I am so excited to meet you!
