Meet the Emmons Wellness Center Team
Assistant Dean of Students for Emmons Wellness
Devon received a B.A. in Women's Studies from the University of California Riverside (UCR), and a Master of Public Health from George Washington University. She is currently pursuing an education doctorate focused on higher education leadership and innovation. Devon has health education experience...
Medical Services
Medical Director
Lily Nourmand attended UCLA where she received a B.S. in microbiology. Dr. Nourmand received her M.D. from the UCLA School of Medicine and finished residency in Family Medicine at Stanford- San Jose Medical Center. She takes a special interest in preventive medicine.
Nurse Practitioner
Evelyn attended University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business-Economics and Specialization in Computing. She was working in Healthcare IT for several years when she realized her calling was as a healthcare provider. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in...
Nurse Practitioner
Rashilda has been in healthcare for 15 years working as an RN 1st in NYC and later obtaining her Masters of Science at Hunter College. Rashilda moved to California in 2016 with a focus in Adult-Geriatric Medicine for 5 years before shifting to student health here at Occidental College. She has a...
Psychological Services
Director of Counseling Services
She/Her/Hers
Jenny is a clinical psychologist with a B.A. in Mathematics from Taylor University, an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Seminary, and a Psy.D. from California School of Professional Psychology. As a clinician Jenny specializes in trauma and is an EMDR therapist; and prior to coming to...
Staff Psychologist
Anna is a clinical psychologist who provides services using a lens that is justice-oriented, trauma-informed, and holistic. Areas of focus include identity (ethnicity, culture, gender expression, sexual orientation), relationships (family, social, romantic), and mind-body connection. Anna has a...
Senior Staff Therapist and Outreach Specialist
Rich is a licensed therapist and graduated from Pacific Oaks College with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. His background includes experience working in community mental health with the LGBTQIA+ community as well as in the substance use and recovery community. He is currently in training to...
Staff Therapist
Claudia (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker born and raised in southeast LA and an Oxy Alumna. Claudia received her BA in Psychology and her MSW from the University of Southern California. Claudia identifies as Latinx/Chicanx and aspires to honor all of her clients' and students'...
Staff Therapist
Tyler is a social worker by training, and holds deeply his profession’s values of client advocacy and social justice. He received a Master of Social Work degree from Florida State University and Bachelor of Arts from Boston College. Tyler has served as a therapist in a variety of settings, including...
Staff Psychiatrist
Dr. Azad Paul Kurkjian is a board-certified adult and child psychiatrist specializing in neuropsychiatry. Dr. Kurkjian’s clinical interests include mood disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, ADHD and autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Kurkjian completed his undergraduate...
Nutritionist
Melissa is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified in Sports Dietetics. She provides nutrition counseling for the general population and athletes to manage and address health conditions and optimize performance. She has experience working with college students to improve their health, athletic...
Project S.A.F.E.
Project SAFE Director and Survivor Advocate
Lizzy Denny (she/her/hers) is originally from Louisville, Kentucky but has lived in Los Angeles for the past 8 years. She received her undergraduate degree from Earlham College in Comparative Languages and Linguistics as well as Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. It was at Earlham that she...
Project SAFE Intake and Programs Coordinator
Stephani Candelaria (she/her/ella) is a musician/activist and trauma-informed, decolonization-focused educator from San Juan Bautista, California (Amah Mutsun tribal land). She holds a Masters degree in Education from Mills College in Oakland, CA (Ohlone tribal land), and has more than 10 years...
Project SAFE Prevention Education Coordinator
They/Them/Theirs
Joaquin is a healing justice advocate, meditation facilitator, and abolitionist from Long Beach, CA (occupied Tongva/Chumash Land). Joaquin earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and Queer Studies from CSU Fullerton in 2017. Since 2015, Joaquin has been invested in...
Support Services
Manager of Clinical Operations
Ana attended Cal State Los Angeles where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Management. She was working in the hospitality industry in various roles and found her calling providing customer service. She recently joined Emmons Wellness Center and considers it a pleasure to have the...
Student Benefits & Insurance Specialist
Krista is the Student Benefits & Insurance Specialist at Emmons Wellness Center. She joined the Emmons team in July 2015. Krista has been working in the insurance and medical billing field for over a decade. Not only does she help students navigate their insurance policy provided by Occidental...