Name: Sarah Pemberton

Department: AVC Dean of Students

Job: Student affairs case manager

Length of employment at UCR: Since September 2008

My work focuses on: I provide referrals, linkage, problem solving and advocacy to the campus and community resources to support UCR students. When students are in distress, for whatever life issue they are dealing with, I am here to provide support and resources to help them meet their academic and life goals. I am also an active member of the critical student incident team, made up of UCR staff and law enforcement professionals who come together to think collectively about how to support the needs of students who are facing signifi cant emotional and personal challenges, distress or disruption. On this team I also work to develop effective policies for a campuswide response to mental health issues. I also am currently working with the new mental health educator to develop a more strategic mental health education program to better inform students about mental health issues. As an active partner to “The Well,” a new office focused on a holistic view of wellness for students, I have the opportunity to collaborate with staff designing and planning wellness and mental health outreach on campus.

Things you should know: I am a product of the UC system. I received my master’s degree in social welfare at UCLA in 2004. I am a licensed clinical social worker and currently the only social worker employed at UCR. What helped me get into the mental health fi eld was my experience working as a sexual assault survivor advocate and hot line volunteer for a local rape crisis center called Project Sister. I was born and raised in the Inland Empire … a California girl all the way!