Moraine Valley Community College received Insight Into Academia magazine’s 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award, which recognizes institutions across the U.S. that demonstrate and foster mental health initiatives on campus through accessible services, peer support, proactive policy and emotional resilience.
In the award application, Moraine Valley highlighted the variety and breadth of services provided to students by its Counseling and Career Development Center. In particular, the application highlighted the Project Care initiative, which provides students with access to a full-service food pantry, basic needs support, emergency financial assistance grants, and a comprehensive assessment of individuals with referrals to community organizations. The pantry and associated services were enhanced in 2024 thanks to a Northwestern Medicine Community Benefit Grant.
“This is great recognition for the college because we serve communities where resources don’t exist. That was a lot of the reason for the food pantry renovation,” said Dr. Scott Friedman, Moraine Valley dean of Student Engagement. “I am extremely proud of the counselors and staff within the Counseling and Career Development Center for their exceptional work, which led to this recognition. Moraine Valley consistently is recognized as a leader amongst Illinois community colleges in providing holistic counseling support and resources that allow our students to flourish.”
In the application, the Counseling and Career Development Center also noted its new Peer Educators Program, which hires students to manage the food pantry and spread awareness about the center’s resources. These students engage their peers through pop-ups around campus or visits to classrooms to help break stigmas regarding well-being topics.
“Moraine Valley is incredibly fortunate to have resourceful employees who care deeply about our students and their many needs to be successful in college, especially throughout the past few years,” said Dr. Pamela J. Haney, Moraine Valley president. “I am deeply grateful for the tremendous efforts of our Counseling and Career Development Center and pleased that their dedication has been recognized with this meaningful award.”
Insight Into Academia is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. Moraine Valley will be featured, along with 70 other recipients, in the September issue of the magazine.
For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley communications specialist and sports information coordinator, at (708) 974-5742 or Vizzam@morainevalley.edu.
