Meet Our Staff

Shelley Eriksen – Project Director

Dr. Shelley Eriksen is Professor of Sociology in the Departments of Human Development & Sociology. She uses intersectional feminist frameworks to explore the social factors that shape health experience for adults, children and families. Dr. Eriksen began her work at Not Alone @ the Beach (NATB) in 2015 as its primary program evaluator. In 2018 she took over as Project Director to lead its ongoing program initiatives, grant management and strategic planning. She oversees the Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT), supervises undergraduate and graduate project activities, and acts as primary liaison to NATB campus and community partners.

Dr. Eriksen is a life-long anti-violence and social justice educator and activist. In high school and college, she volunteered at rape crisis centers, acted as a sexual health peer educator, worked in a feminist health clinic, and volunteered as a (CASA) court-appointed special advocate for children. As a former department chair and director of women’s studies, her expertise remains in program development and campus and community partnerships that foster student leadership opportunities and authentic engagement with community agencies. She believes firmly that providing a safe and inclusive campus is central to any student success initiative. Under her leadership, NATB offers prevention and confidential advocacy services and works to coordinate campus and community efforts that safeguard a safe learning environment for everyone. Please contact her to get involved and to make sure that no one is ever “alone at The Beach.”

Jacqueline Urtez – Campus Confidential Advocate

Jacqueline graduated from California State University, Long Beach where she received a B.A. in Human Development with a minor in Criminal Justice.  In 2022, she earned her Master’s in Education with a concentration in Counseling from San Diego State University. She is a Latinx, first generation college student who has been dedicated to working with survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking since 2013. Jacqueline is passionate about advocacy, providing trauma-informed care, and empowering survivors to make informed decisions through education around their rights/options. She has supported survivors within community-based and higher education settings in Southern California.

Rocio Telumbre – Campus Confidential Advocate

Rocio, a proud Mexican immigrant, graduated from California State University, Fullerton where she received a B.A in Psychology. For the past 5 years, she has worked at community-based organizations that provide legal advocacy resources to survivors of intimate partner violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault. Rocio has become passionate about the intersectionality, trauma informed approach in supporting and empowering survivors to create their own journey to healing.

Jafra Millner, Patrol Operations Sergeant – University Police

Jafra graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 2007 where she received her B.A. in Journalism with a minor in Africana Studies. She became a police officer with the University Police Department (UPD) in 2008 to fulfill her passion to help people and give back to her community. During her time at UPD, she became a Field Training Officer and a member of the statewide CSU Critical Response Unit. In 2014, she earned her Instructor Certification for R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense), a national standard in women’s self-defense education and training. She joined the NATB Project team in 2019 as a Detective specializing in sexual assault investigations and survivor wellness. Jafra works closely with the Office of Equity and Diversity and assists with Title IX matters, hoping to make police services more approachable/accessible for survivors.

Courtney Ahrens – Faculty Affiliate 

Courtney Ahrens is a Professor in the Psychology Department who has worked with Not Alone @ the Beach since its inception.  She began working in the field of gender-based violence as an undergraduate at Smith College where she volunteered as a rape victim advocate.  After graduation, she accepted a job at the Palo Alto VA and continued to volunteer as a domestic violence advocate in San Francisco.  She then attended graduate school at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the field of Community Psychology where she conducted research on the community response to sexual assault and helped train advocacy centers to evaluate their services.  She continued to work with advocacy centers and conduct research on disclosure and help-seeking among survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence after joining the faculty at CSULB in 2002. At CSULB, she regularly teaches classes on Interpersonal Violence, Psychology of Women, and internships in Psychology.  She is passionate about social change and looks forward to a future free from violence.

Ebony Utley – Faculty Affiliate

Dr. Ebony Utley is a professorpreneur. As a Professor of Communication Studies at California State University Long Beach, her interpersonal communication research has explored male resistance to rape prevention programs, the dark side of intimate relationships, the coexistence of infidelity and intimate partner abuse, and the sexual violations of black boys. In addition to her publications, Dr. Utley uses the findings from her research to curate experiences and develop technology products for social impact. As an entrepreneur, her contributions include but are not limited to raising awareness about the dark side of technology, improving romantic relationship communication, supporting women recovering from infidelity, preventing domestic violence through entrepreneurship, supporting BIPOC techpreneurs, and healing via ebony.yoga. She brings her knack for innovating research for public access to NATB.

Sage Greenstein – Lead Project Assistant

Sage Greenstein is in his final year pursuing a BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice. He has previously assisted Dr. Sarah Taylor with research on increasing the accessibility of resources for survivors of intimate partner violence in socioeconomically diverse populations. His research interests focus on human rights violations in the criminal justice system, particularly violence against the LGBTQ+ community. After completing his undergraduate degree, he plans to pursue a J.D. and continue working with underserved communities. He is eager to join NATB and further explore the meaning of being survivor-centered at CSULB.

Bethlehem Gezahegne – Social Media Coordinator

Bethlehem Gezahegne is a first-generation alumna of California State University Long Beach with a BA in human development. She is now a part of the NATB team as a social media intern. Previously, she supported NATB with the “BTS: Help a Friend“ event where students learned ways to help a friend experiencing gender/power-based violence through utilizing useful phrases, creating digital safety plans, identifying campus and community resources etc. She also worked as a social media intern for CSULB’s Human Development Department during her undergraduate studies. She is excited to utilize her experience to promote helpful NATB programs and to work with her colleagues and campus partners to ensure a safe and inclusive space on campus.

Kelsey Burns – NATB Outreach Intern

Kelsey Burns is a Psychology major in her third year at CSULB. This is her third semester being a part of NATB. She completed the Healthy Relationships Skills Workshop and EAAA Flip the Script program and was inspired to get involved by helping spread sexual violence awareness around campus. In her free time, she volunteers for a sexual assault crisis hotline where she connects survivors to resources. She is passionate about making campus a safer environment.

Dom Gruta – NATB Outreach Intern

Dom Gruta is a fourth-year student pursuing her BA in Psychology with a minor in Human Development. She is excited to be an intern with Not Alone at the Beach for the fall 2024 semester. Dom highly values NATB’s mission and wants to ensure that all students are aware of NATB’s resources. She believes that domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and awareness can help change the campus culture and make it a better space for everyone. In the future, Dom hopes to find a career in the developmental psychology field or become a school psychologist.

Sarah Hopkins – NATB Outreach Intern

Sarah Hopkins is in her last semester as an undergraduate Psychology student at CSULB. Her plans after graduation include furthering her education by attending a Clinical Psychology Master’s program. Throughout her time here at the Beach, she has been an active member of the FSL community and completed multiple internships, demonstrating her passion for collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds. She is dedicated to educating students on campus about NATB’s mission and creating a safe space for those to step forward and seek help.

Rebecca O’Brien – NATB Outreach Intern

Rebecca O’Brien is a psychology major in her last semester at CSULB. She is honored to be a part of the outreach for NATB to help make a positive impact for survivors affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and others who need support. She plans on continuing her education by obtaining a master’s in social work, so she is better able to help others and make a difference.