Princeton Review Recognizes UAlbany for Commitment to Student Mental Health
By Amy Geduldig
ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 30, 2024) — The University at Albany was recently named one of 16 institutions selected for the Princeton Review’s Mental Health Services Honor Roll. The University was the only public college in New York State selected for the honor. The initiative identifies institutions that demonstrate a strong commitment to the mental health and well-being of their students. (The full list of institutions and information about the criteria for this designation is available on the Princeton Review’s website.)
“At the University at Albany we know that students can’t reach their academic and career goals unless we first meet their health and well-being needs. That is why, as a Health Promoting University, we are committed to infusing health into everything we do, including our physical spaces, academic and research endeavors, and student support programs. I am so proud that UAlbany is being recognized by the Princeton Review for our institutional commitment to student mental health and well-being,” said Havidán Rodríguez, president of the University at Albany.
The Mental Health Services Honor Roll was developed to help students identify higher education institutions that offer extensive support for mental health. The universities and colleges selected are known to provide overall administrative support for campus health and well-being through policies and staff commitment; a quality of life on campus that is both healthy and attentive to overall well-being; and education programs and peer-to-peer offerings that empower students to address their own mental health.
A Whole-Systems Approach to Support Mental Health
The University was recognized for its enhanced mental health services offered by the Counseling & Psychological Services Office, noted for providing counseling support, recovery programs and the STEPS program, which is designed to help students confront issues stemming from alcohol or cannabis use. UAlbany also offers a robust peer-to-peer counseling service through its Middle Earth Peer Assistance program, where student volunteers — trained by mental health professionals — address a range of personal and academic issues that affect student success.
UAlbany routinely sponsors events and stand-alone courses that allow students to develop the necessary tools to help improve their health and well-being, including:
- Mindful Mondays — a weekly virtual event that offers guided mindfulness meditations and activities
- Stress Less — an hour-long workshop that addresses how stress affects health and provides strategies for stress management
- Better Sleep, Better Lives — a one-hour course that examines the importance of a good night’s rest and helps participants improve their sleep hygiene
- Recovery Ally — a two-hour class devoted to the recovery process and aimed at teaching students how to recognize substance abuse issues, provide support, and destigmatize addiction
In addition to exemplary clinical services, the University recognizes the importance of and has invested in whole-systems approaches to health promotion for students, faculty and staff. Earlier this summer, the institution completed a major $46.9 million renovation of two residence halls, which included the transformation of a former dining hall into a new recreation and wellness center featuring amenities to support the health and fitness of students, faculty and staff. Furthering its commitment, UAlbany hosted the third summit of the U.S. Health Promoting Campuses Network this October — a multi-day, in-person event for higher education institutions that highlighted innovative approaches, strategies and practices that support a whole-system approach to promoting well-being for students, faculty and staff.
"Our commitment to student health and well-being at UAlbany is foundational to the academic and personal success of our students. This recognition from the Princeton Review reaffirms the dedication of our staff, our peer counselors and the many community members who support UAlbany's holistic approach to mental health. Together, we strive to ensure that every student has the resources, environment and encouragement they need to thrive," said Michael Christakis, vice president for student affairs and enrollment.
The University’s inclusion in the honor roll further supports the institution’s recent rankings as one of the top public colleges in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly and Princeton Review's “The Best 390 Colleges - 2025 Edition.” UAlbany has also been consistently recognized as one of the best colleges for social mobility and academic equity, offering low-income students — including first-generation students and those receiving financial aid — a diverse and affordable education. U.S. News and World Report and the Wall Street Journal ranked the University as No. 26 and No. 31 respectively in the category of social mobility for schools across the country.
The Princeton Review Mental Health Honor Roll is the result of a yearlong project designed to promote mental health resources on college campuses as well as student awareness of them. The project was conducted in partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation, an internationally recognized organization that works to end the stigma associated with mental health and increase awareness of — and the availability of — mental health services. The Princeton Review surveyed college administrators nationwide about the availability and extent of their mental health services and wellness resources for students. The company also surveyed students at more than 200 colleges and universities about their school's mental health and wellness services. In a third survey cycle, the company polled nearly 11,000 college applicants and their parents on whether having information about a college's mental health and wellness services would affect their consideration of the school. More about the methdology and data collection is available on the Princeton Review website.