We hope you enjoy this series where we meet and get to know employees from across campus. Would you like to be featured? Contact us at campusnews@csufresno.edu.

Name: Mindy Kates
Title: Survivor Advocate
Department: Student Health and Counseling Center
Academic Degree(s):

• B.A. psychology, minor in criminology, Fresno State
• Master of Social Work, Fresno State

How long have you worked at Fresno State and which offices have you worked in?
I have worked here for four years as the Survivor Advocate.

Are you a Valley native?
Yes, I was born and raised in Fresno.

Are you a Bulldog family with generations of Bulldog graduates or current students?
I am a first-generation college student in my family. My parents encouraged me to go here since I was a child.

Do you have a campus mentor or someone who has helped you in your career?
Since arriving on campus, case manager Diana Karageozian has been my biggest supporter. She is a fellow social worker, and helped me to acclimate to campus. She continues to encourage me to grow in my career and my personal life. I really appreciate her as my coworker and mentor.

Tell us about your department and what people may not know about it.
Survivor Advocacy Services provides support to staff, faculty and students dealing with sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking. We are able to help with things relating to campus and things not related to campus. As long as you work or go to school here, you can utilize our free and confidential resources.

What are you most passionate about in your field and why?
I am most passionate about supporting people when they are dealing with trauma. No one should be alone. Everyone deserves to have a safe, non judgemental, and empathetic person to support them when they are going through tough times.

What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?
I love to be in nature. This is also my self care. I love to hike, kayak and zipline.

Mindy Kates kayaking in Morro Bay

Mindy Kates hiking in the Sierra National Forest

What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
I have a green belt in Shou Shu martial arts (two belts away from black belt). My son and I signed up for lessons in 2011 to get exercise and have a fun activity in common.

Mindy Kates and her son after earning orange belts in Shou Shu in 2012