Pennsylvania College of Technology is gaining recognition for its leadership in suicide prevention and mental health services, highlighted in a 23-minute interview on The Spark podcast, produced by WITF. The podcast is the largest public TV and radio outlet in central Pennsylvania, covering areas such as Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Hershey, Lebanon, and Carlisle.
In the episode, Nate Woods Jr., Executive Director of Student Wellbeing and Inclusive Excellence at Penn College, and Gina Bavero, Director of the Counseling and Student Development Center at Bucknell University, discuss their institutions’ efforts to address student mental health. Both colleges are recipients of the PA CARES designation, awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This designation honors campuses that show a strong commitment to student mental wellness. PA CARES stands for “Connect, Assess, Respond, Encourage, and Support,” reflecting the growing movement to integrate mental health resources into campus culture.
Woods highlights Penn College’s comprehensive approach to student success, which includes not only preparing students for careers in business and industry but also providing robust support services on campus. He also emphasizes the college’s efforts to support faculty and staff in assisting students with mental health challenges.
Since 2015, Penn College’s efforts to promote student mental health and strengthen suicide-prevention initiatives have been recognized, particularly after receiving the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Campus Suicide Prevention Grant.
Related Topics
