RISE Institute

Connie Horton ('82) is the vice chancellor and executive director of the RISE Institute at Pepperdine University, where she leads initiatives to expand resilience education and well-being efforts across the University and beyond. A licensed psychologist, Horton previously served as Pepperdine's vice president for student affairs (2017–2025), where she oversaw key areas of student wellness and leadership. Earlier career chapters included serving as a psychology faculty member and as the director of the University's Counseling Center.

Horton's career has focused on student mental health and resilience, and she was instrumental in launching the RISE (Resilience-Informed Skills Education) program to help college students navigate life's challenges.

She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Pepperdine, a master's degree in counseling from California State University, Fullerton, and a PhD in educational psychology from the University of Texas at Austin.

connie.horton@pepperdine.edu

Stacey Lee Gobir ('15, MDR '17) is the director of the Resilience-Informed Skills Education (RISE) Program at Pepperdine University.

With more than a decade of experience in higher education, Gobir has served in various roles across Pepperdine's Housing and Residence Life, the Office of Student Accessibility, and health and wellness. Her professional and personal passions have also led her to serve local villages and live on a medical mission in Fiji, volunteer with the Los Angeles Superior Court as a civil harassment mediator, and support veteran and nontraditional students at Stanford University.

A proud Pepperdine double alumna, she earned her undergraduate degree from Seaver College and a master's in dispute resolution from the Caruso School of Law's Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution.

stacey.lee@pepperdine.edu

Beverly Wright serves as the Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of the RISE Institute and supports the RISE Program Team. Beverly is the first point of contact for anyone interested in partnering with the RISE Institute. Before joining the Institute, she spent 28 years in corporate Human Resources, followed by 12 years in executive administrative support at Pepperdine in higher education. She is known for her professionalism and ability to navigate complex administrative environments with efficiency and discretion. Beverly’s experience and commitment to service make her a valuable team member.

A graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University, she takes great pride in supporting leadership that advances the Institute’s mission and values, and enjoys creating a positive, collaborative environment for colleagues and students alike.

beverly.wright@pepperdine.edu