The Student Health and Wellness Center at Otis College of Art and Design is staffed by a dedicated team of healthcare and counseling professionals committed to supporting students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. From medical care to psychological services, our team works collaboratively to provide compassionate, high-quality support—helping students stay healthy, balanced, and focused on their creative and academic goals. Meet our team below.
A Message from the Director
Julie Spencer, M.D., M.P.H
Welcome to the Otis College of Art and Design Student Health and Wellness Center. The staff of the Student Health and Wellness Center is dedicated to providing high-quality care and helping students learn the skills they need to stay healthy while at Otis College.
The Center is led by its Director and Physician, Julie Spencer, who is pleased to welcome students to this new campus resource.
She is a Los Angeles native who grew up in Pasadena and now lives in Manhattan Beach with her husband and two sons. She is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Class of 2003. After completing her undergraduate studies, she attended St. George’s University School of Medicine, where she earned both a Master of Public Health degree and a medical degree.
She completed her residency training in general pediatrics, spending her first two years at Maimonides Infants and Children’s Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, and her final year at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center in Carson, California. During her residency, she developed a strong interest in caring for adolescents and young adults. This led her to complete a fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, she worked closely with patients ages 12 to 24 and gained specialized experience in areas such as reproductive health, eating disorders, primary care, and other health concerns common to this age group.
Medical Services Staff
Tatiana Ramirez, FNP-BC
Tatiana is the Family Nurse Practitioner at the Student Health and Wellness Center at Otis College of Art and Design. In this role, her focus is on ensuring that every student has access to high-quality health care that supports their individual health goals. She is a strong advocate for health education and preventive care as essential parts of long-term wellness.
Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Tatiana earned her bachelor’s degree from Mount Saint Mary’s University and her master’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. With more than six years of experience as a registered nurse, she has worked across various inpatient departments at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Providence Hospital, and UCLA Hospital. This diverse clinical background provides a strong foundation for delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care as a Nurse Practitioner.
Stephanie Alvarenga, Coordinator, Office Administration and Operations, Student Health and Wellness Center
As the Administrator and Operations Coordinator at the Student Health and Wellness Center, Stephanie is dedicated to creating a welcoming, supportive, and well-organized experience for students while also supporting colleagues in providing high-quality care.
Originally from Inglewood, California, Stephanie brings more than five years of experience in the medical field. Her healthcare career began during the COVID-19 pandemic, assisting with testing and vaccination efforts, and later continued in the role of Patient Service Representative. Through this work, a strong passion developed for community engagement and helping others navigate their care.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Staff
James Birks, LMFT
James is the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at the Student Health and Wellness Center at Otis College of Art and Design. In this role, his focus is on supporting students’ mental health and well-being so they can stay engaged in their education and work toward becoming their best selves.
A Southern California native, James earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and his master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California (USC). His clinical training includes work at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, and prior to joining Otis, he supported youth at a community mental health agency.
James is deeply committed to working with students and strives to create safe, supportive spaces where diverse cultures, perspectives, and lived experiences are welcomed and respected. His areas of expertise include trauma, depression, identity development, LGBT-affirmative therapy, and working with transitional-age youth between the ages of 18 and 25.
Monica Colver, AMFT
Monica serves as the CAPS Case Manager at the Student Health and Wellness Center at Otis College of Art and Design. In this role, her focus is on fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that supports the mental health and well-being of the Otis community.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Monica returned to Southern California after spending ten years in the Bay Area, along with time living in other locations. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and later completed a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. As a counseling intern, she supported youth and their families in public schools in Berkeley, where she developed a strong interest in working within educational settings.
Monica is especially interested in trauma-informed mindfulness and somatic approaches, as well as supporting LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, students with disabilities, and individuals with other marginalized identities. She is excited to continue this work in a college environment.
Jade Wollman, LCSW
Jade is a clinician at the Student Health and Wellness Center who brings a warm, integrative, and client-centered approach to her work. Her practice is tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, with the understanding that while she offers clinical expertise, clients are the experts in their own lives. Jade draws from a range of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed care. She is committed to creating a safe and supportive space where clients can work through challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Jade holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, as well as a Master of Public Policy degree from Pepperdine University. Her professional experience includes working with individuals across the lifespan in diverse settings such as nonprofit organizations, a domestic violence shelter, and group private practice.
