Montgomery County Community College received the 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award by “Insight Into Academia” magazine, the nation’s largest and longest-running publication focused on diversity and inclusion in higher education.

The inaugural award honors colleges and universities that demonstrate a strong commitment to developing a culture of mental health wellness and well-being for their students and employees. It recognizes institutions that implement innovative programs, provide accessible mental health resources, and promote initiatives that support emotional resilience, stress management, and overall psychological well-being.

“The College has a deep commitment to fostering a welcoming environment where all individuals are supported and valued,” said Dr. Vicki Bastecki-Perez, MCCC President. “Health and well-being are vital components of this caring culture, ensuring that students and employees have the support they need to thrive academically, professionally and personally. We are pleased to receive this national recognition that highlights our ongoing work in transforming lives.”

MCCC is one of 71 institutions from across the country to be featured in the upcoming September 2025 issue of “Insight Into Academia” magazine.

“We know that institutions are not always recognized for their dedication to their mental health and well-being services and support for their students and employees,” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of “Insight Into Academia” magazine. “We are proud to honor these colleges and universities as role models for other institutions of higher education.”

For students, MCCC provides holistic support services through a Student Wellness Inclusion Model, a tiered system of care rooted in meeting essential needs and sustained by core institutional services and strong community partnerships.

“To fully support student success, it is vitally important to provide integrated services that address all students needs, including food, housing assistance, financial assistance for emergencies, safe spaces, mental and physical health services and transportation,” said Dr. Nichole Kang, Director of the Wellness Centers.

MCCC’s innovative Wellness Centers demonstrate the College’s focus on prioritizing the health and well-being of students as part of their overall academic success. The Wellness Center at the Pottstown Campus, which opened in 2022 and was funded by a $1 million Community Mental Health Services Block Grant from Montgomery County, includes a sensory room, a counseling room for both in-person and telehealth services, a collaboration room for peer support, and a food pantry and café area. Similarly, the Wellness Center at the Blue Bell Campus includes a food pantry, quiet space and counseling space.

For employees, the College’s Strategic Employee Workforce Plan incorporates an array of services to support employees both professionally and personally. The College offers professional development programs, tuition reimbursement, career planning resources, awards, workload equity plans, flexible work schedules, on-campus childcare, paid family leave, and mental health and well-being resources, among others.

Beyond these many resources, the College also initiated a “No Meeting Block Initiative” during the academic year from September through May during Monday mornings and Friday afternoons, allowing employees time to plan, focus, prepare for the week ahead and complete items before the weekend.

“At Montgomery County Community College, we believe that supporting the well-being of our employees is essential to building a connected, inclusive workplace,” said Shannon Schmidt, Senior Director of Human Resources. “We’re proud to offer a wide range of resources that promote wellness, work-life balance, and professional growth.”

Earlier this year, MCCC was recognized for the ninth time as one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges in the nation by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development and “Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.” MCCC was one of only 16 community and technical colleges in the United States (and one of only three in Pennsylvania) selected for this highly regarded award, which recognizes colleges with inclusive, supportive workplace and learning environments.