Michelle Ventura

Pronouns: she/her

Michelle Ventura has been working in higher education at UCLA for 8 years. Her passion around mental health and fitness started at a young age. Throughout her career, she has been a part of the fitness industry and was also a translator at an elementary school for the school’s Psychologist (Spanish). She studied Industrial Organizational Psychology, with plans on becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In her previous roles at UCLA in Counseling and Psychological Services and in the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, she gained a thorough understanding of UCLA’s policies and development procedures, skills to effectively serve internal and external constituents, and most importantly, how to serve students to the best of her ability on a daily basis. She is excited to see what the future of the RISE Center holds and the new relationships to come!

Favorite self-care practice: Words of affirmation, Pilates, Boxing, Quality time with Partner, Looking back at memories of her mischievous Frenchie, Lotus.

Fun fact: She is a Southpaw Boxer (no sparring)

How would you define resilience? Dusting yourself off and getting back on track when life gets rough and tough. Overcoming situations and trying to see outcomes through a positive lens. Remembering yesterday is gone and that looking forward is the only option. However, always keeping in mind what was learned.

What does wellness mean to you? When physical, emotional, environmental, and social well-being are all in check (or close to it).