The Wave of Support initiative is a cross-divisional partnership that collaborates with students, faculty, and staff across campus. Have questions about Wave of Support? Want to get involved? Contact one of the staff members listed below or email us at waveofsupport@tulane.edu!
Professional Staff
Rachel Weber (she/her/hers/herself)
Director, Wave of Support
Email: rweber1@tulane.edu
Phone: 504-314-2623
Contact Rachel about: TUgether for Mental Health, Mentor Institute, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training, Wave of Support Leadership Academy, the Red Folder, general Wave of Support questions
Education: B.A. in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, The Ohio State University (2014), M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs, New York University (2016)
Biography: Originally from Dallas, Texas, Rachel received her Bachelor's degree in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from The Ohio State University. She then completed her Master's in Higher Education and Student Affairs from New York University while working in the NYU LGBTQ+ Student Center. Rachel's higher education background includes housing and residence life, leadership, orientation, and LGBTQ student services.
Rachel came to Tulane University in 2016 and has served as the Resident Director for Josephine Louise Residence Hall and the Assistant Director for New Student and Leadership Programs. Her work on campus has focused on first-year and transfer experiences, leadership initiatives, and community building. She is thrilled to join the Wave of Support team and support mental health initiatives across campus.
Samantha Bruce, LMSW (she/her/hers/herself)
Senior Program Manager, Wave of Support
Email: sregner@tulane.edu
Phone: 504-314-2285
Contact Sam about: Wave of Support Programming, Active Minds, Campus Collaborations and Partnerships, Wave of Support Leadership Academy, General Wave of Support Questions, and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training
Education: B.S. in Psychology, Loyola University (2013) MSW, Louisiana State University
Biography: Sam grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to New Orleans in 2009 to begin her studies at Loyola University, where she majored in Psychology. After graduation in 2013, Sam worked as a teacher at an Uptown charter school where she discovered her passion for helping students thrive both academically and personally. She decided to pursue a master’s degree in social work at Louisiana State University, which introduced her to a variety of approaches to support individuals hoping to make positive life changes. Sam’s experience working as a Mental Health Professional for a local, grassroots agency provided her an opportunity to work one-on-one with individuals to help them develop short-term and long-term goals, carefully map out specific objectives, and hold them accountable to make lasting changes. Professionally, Sam’s greatest satisfaction is to cultivate progress and celebrate the success of others.
As the Program Manager for Wave of Support, Sam hopes to utilize the strengths perspective to assist students with highlighting their natural abilities, discovering their untapped skills, and reframing their challenges to develop a better understanding of themselves as a student and as an individual. She recognizes that each student’s path to wellbeing is unique and she upholds an individualized and adaptive approach to her work. As a New Orleans transplant, Sam understands the value of new experiences and the importance of getting connected to the best resources. She hopes to encourage students to take full advantage of learning opportunities all while maintaining a sense of balance and joy during their time at Tulane.
Student Staff
Olivia Christovich (she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Intern, Wave of Support
Olivia is a Psychology major at Tulane University from Los Angeles, California with a strong interest in child and adolescent mental health. She is passionate about promoting emotional well-being, building supportive communities, and making mental health resources more accessible to students. Olivia joined the Wave of Support team to help foster a culture of care, connection, and balance at Tulane through wellness-focused programming and outreach. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, exploring New Orleans, spending time with her younger brother, journaling, and discovering new coffee shops around the city.
Shelby Edwards (she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Intern, Wave of Support
Shelby is a sophomore from Long Beach, California, double majoring in Psychology and Health & Wellness. In addition to being a Wave of Support Intern, she is the Communications Director for Students Against Food Insecurity (SAFI), Secretary of the Black Student Union, and Homecoming Court Chair for the Tidal Wave Committee. She also interned with Promly, a Gen Z mental health startup focused on building accessible wellness resources. Shelby is excited to support initiatives that connect students to campus resources and promote the eight dimensions of wellness at Tulane.
Summer Swenson (she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Intern, Wave of Support
Summer is a student majoring in Psychology at Tulane University minoring in Social Work and Public Health. She plans to graduate in 2026 from Tulane University and continue my pursuit of an MSW and potential LMSW. Summer enjoyed her experience working with Tulane through the First Year Experience Program, where she worked as a 2023 Wave Leader, returning peer mentor, and 2024 Board of Director member. Throughout her high school and undergraduate years, she has been involved with many mental health initiatives that support her passion for mental well-being. Summer believes that before anyone can be a student, they need to be able to have their needs met as a person. This is why she is looking forward to continuing her work in the realm of mental well-being with Wave of Support!
Sophia Watson (she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Intern, Wave of Support
Sophia Watson is a third-year Psychology student. She is from the suburbs of Chicago, but grew up in the Dallas area. Sophia is interested in the field of mental health and therapy. She plans to get a Masters in MFT and hope to practice as an LMFT in the future! Roll Wave!
Former Student Interns
Liza Cisneros, Class of 2025
Charlotte Gordon, Class of 2025
Jack Granger, Class of 2024
Meredith Rosenberg, Class of 2024
Erin Tarpgaard, Class of 2027
Mary Tyrrell, Class of 2023
