Meet Our Staff
Kristen Perry (she/her)
Director, Confidential Advocate
Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration, Canisius College
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Western Oregon University
503-838-9657 | perryk@mail.wou.edu | WUC 106C
Kristen came back to the Western community in December of 2021. Most recently, she worked as an Advocate at UC Santa Barbara, and before that, served as the first Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator at Central Washington University. Kristen enjoys serving students directly and helping them through their healing journeys, but also finds that it’s important to make systemic changes to improve services and processes for all people, so she works closely with Student Conduct, Title IX, and Public Safety. In her free time, Kristen enjoys taking care of her houseplants, hanging out with her cat Sally, paddle-boarding, and going to the beach!
Maria Barrera (she/her/ella)
Basic Needs Coordinator
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Western Oregon University
503-838-9430 | barreram@mail.wou.edu | WUC 106A
Maria is a first generation, DACA recipient, bilingual member of the LGBTQ+ community, and someone who loves building connections with other diverse populations. She recently graduated from Western Oregon University, and as an undergraduate student, was heavily involved in advocacy through student government and organizations off and on campus where she assisted underrepresented and marginalized students like herself. Maria has always been committed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion to best serve students on campus which is why she’s excited to be back at WOU now helping students as the Basic Needs Coordinator connecting them with resources around Basic Needs on campus and within the community. A fun fact about her is that she loves to make DIY household Decor items using her all time BFF: My Cricut Maker.
Kailey Knospe (she/her)
Confidential Advocate
Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, Western Oregon University
Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Western Oregon University
503-838-9422 | knospekm@mail.wou.edu | WUC 106E
Kailey is a proud first-generation college graduate with a background in public health and leadership. She’s passionate about supporting students through moments of crisis, healing, and self-discovery, grounding her work in empathy, authenticity, and a deep belief in each student’s ability to reclaim their voice and power. Her journey with Abby’s House began as an undergraduate intern, where she facilitated a support group for survivors and created self-care kits to support their healing. These experiences sparked her commitment to advocacy and her desire to work in spaces that center equity, connection, and care. Now back at WOU as a professional, Kailey is grateful to support students in the same space that helped shape her own journey. Outside of work, she loves going to concerts, grabbing lunch at the beach, hiking, and going for walks with her Yorkie, Dolly.
Maggie (she/they)
Office Support Staff
Education major
Maggie works at Abby’s House because she feels that it will prepare for becoming a health teacher through learning information and what resources to provide to their future students.
Malissa (she/her)
Program Manager
Education major; Juvenile Justice minor
Malissa has been involved in nonprofit work for a number of years, specifically in domestic violence and suicide awareness. She thought working in Abby’s House would be a great fit so she can learn more about college-age survivors and also what advocacy on campus looks like.
Abigail (she/her)
Gender Equity Peer Educator
Pre-Nursing major
Abigail works Abby’s House to see what interpersonal violence prevention looks like in the work setting. She is planning to go into women’s health nursing and hopes to find a crossover of nursing and prevention work. Abigail loves being a part of a safe space for students on campus, especially the queer community, and loves the work setting at Abby’s House.
Rosabelle (she/they)
Gender Equity Peer Educator
Before they became a student at WOU, Rosabelle has had a passion for organizations that involved workshops, events, and programs surrounding educational topics, youth development, and more. Rosabelle has always admired the way the Abby’s House organization works and its purpose for the students here at Western Oregon University.
Hailee (she/her)
Bystander Intervention Intern
Double major in Psychology and Economics; minor in Art
Hailee chose to work with Abby’s House because it gave her the opportunity to help people directly and provide a safe place for people.
Ashley (she/her)
Basic Needs Peer Educator
Criminal Justice major; minor in Psychology
Mercedes (she/her)
Food Pantry Campus Coordinator
Pre-Nursing major
Mercedes wanted to work in Abby’s House because she hopes to reduce the stigma surrounding basic needs insecurity and bring awareness to interpersonal violence and how both things affect college students as a whole. Working in Abby’s House, she hopes to help students and community members as she knows the importance of having access to basic needs and how that can affect your lifestyle.
Mercedes (she/her)
Food Pantry Campus Coordinator
Pre-Nursing major
Mercedes wanted to work in Abby’s House because she hopes to reduce the stigma surrounding basic needs insecurity and bring awareness to interpersonal violence and how both things affect college students as a whole. Working in Abby’s House, she hopes to help students and community members as she knows the importance of having access to basic needs and how that can affect your lifestyle.
Miriam (they/she)
Stitch Closet Coordinator
Public Health major
Sofie (she/hers)
Stitch Closet Coordinator
