Haven Project Personnel

Jess has been working with the Haven Project since 2010 and the has been the director since 2016. She is also a psychologist in the Counseling Center and has been the chair of the department since 2017. She completed her undergraduate degree at Penn State University, majoring in psychology before going on to complete her master of arts and doctor of psychology degrees at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The Haven Project is important to her because their mission is education, prevention, and advocacy. We stand to promote a culture at IUP that does not accept violence. But until we can stop every incident of sexual violence, then it is also important to give a voice to survivors and to assist them in continuing to be successful at IUP. She has been extremely fortunate to have worked with many passionate IUP students, and together—she knows we can make a difference.

Kristy leads with creativity, passion, and kindness, believing that the best work happens when we recognize people's strengths and connect them to the resources and education they need to thrive. Kristy's background is in Public Relations and Public Health. 

Growing up, she learned the power of service, compassion, and education alongside her grandmother, whether through volunteering at the soup kitchen, delivering Meals on Wheels, teaching swim lessons, or volunteering at the library. That foundation of compassion and community continues to drive her work today. Now, as the Coordinator of Sexual Violence Prevention and Wellness Education at IUP, Kristy channels that passion into supporting students, building partnerships, and creating safe, healthy campus environments where everyone can succeed.

Working closely with campus partners the Haven Project develops and facilitates university wide initiatives focusing on sexual violence prevention, bystander intervention training, and sexual wellness.