Students from Independent Colleges Join their Peers at New Jersey Statewide Student Mental Health Summit hosted by Kean University. It was a full day of thoughtful and encouraging programs designed to acknowledge the ongoing challenges and highlight the promise that awaits when help is provided. Student Mental Health Ambassadors from higher education institutions across the state contributed to a successful day bringing undergraduate and graduate students, counselors and higher education leaders together. All with the support and guidance of the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
From the opening program through the breakout sessions, independent college students played an active role in the success of the inaugural summit. Alexis Libert, Felician University, and Riyana Phadke, Stevens Institute of Technology, served as moderators of the Opening Plenary Session featuring a Presidents Panel addressing campus mental health from what are the trends in mental and behavioral health to program innovations and implementation; and from outlining the barriers to meeting student needs to investing in the education and training of campus faculty, staff and administration to recognize and respond to the signs of student anxiety and stress. Stevens’ student, Aidan Robinson, asked the presidents from Berkeley, Brookdale Community, Montclair State, Ramapo and Stevens to share the metrics used to determine the effectiveness of current strategies and programs to help students.
The morning session featured student teams from Seton Hall University and Stevens sharing information about creating student lead programs on campus or within existing clubs and organizations to provide peer-to-peer support. Fraternity brothers, Michael Preziosi and Andrew Cheney, identified ways they have built a supportive environment over the past five years for men to delve into deeper issues and discuss topics that are often considered too difficult in “Creating internal Support Systems Within Student Organizations.” Alyssa Housley and Jillian Daley from Seton Hall program “Mission Integration: incorporating Peer Education in Campus Community,” introduced how establishing a mission and vision for mental health programs helps build continuity that extends beyond the passion of current students. Both examples encouraged building trust to foster a community where people can share their authentic selves.
Resources were also featured in a poster session with participation by Felician University students who explored addressing the sense of isolation felt by online and commuting students, “Bridging Voices: Student Representatives as Advocates for Mental Health in MACP.” Given a sense of connectedness can be a factor of student success including achieving academic potential, developing ways to reduce feeling of isolation is important. Aleksa Lukic and Irma Montalvo are exploring virtual meetings and other methods of engagement to provide non-traditional students with a way to contribute to the campus environment and experience. “Carrying the Weight: Imposter Syndrome, Burnout, and Belonging in Graduate School,” was presented by Yeasmin Ali and Joyci Bolona of Felician. Their creative visuals helped to depict the struggles of students who question if they belong and if they measure up.
The afternoon session included presentation by Fairleigh Dickinson and Felician university student teams offering program examples for creating better interactions and positive outcomes through training, workshops and mentorships. “Student’s Reflections on Empathy: A Journey Through a University-Based Training,” presented by Alice Guberman, Ramya Evani and Steven Dranoff of Fairleigh Dickinson focused on empathy as a learned skill that is best applied when there is balance of focus on others and self. Offered to faculty and administration it is improving perspective taking and reducing emotional stress. A team from Felician who offered support to students struggling to meet the demands of college shared their individual reflections on their student interactions in “Fostering Mental Health Inclusivity, and Belonging to Build Academic Resilience and Career Readiness: The GRIT Program Holistic Approach to Student Success.” Ashley Qiu, Julia Rinaldi, Gabriella Espinal, Adriana Rojas, Elzabeth Sisto, and Bianca Serrano provided accounts of student success and their own growth from program participation.
These are just some of the offerings provided throughout the day and applauded by Dr. Brian Bridges, New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education in his closing comments. Bridges also thank the Mental Health Ambassadors for their efforts and commitment. Additional Mental Health Ambassadors from independent institutions included Maria Almonte, Centenary University; Michelle Lartey, Caldwell University; Cristian Xavier Morillo, Felician University; Flor Munoz and Marissa Smith, Rider University;
We share our appreciation for all independent, public and community colleges for their commitment and making student participants available to offer their stories, share their time and talent, and keep mental health as a key issue on college campuses helps set the stage for the January 8, 2026, New Jersey Higher Education Mental Health Summit for student facing faculty, administration and staff. This year’s summit will be hosted by NJIT in Newark and supported by principal sponsor, Uwill. Registration is open. Visit
