A sensory room at Montgomery County Community College. (Credit: Montgomery County Community College). David DeBalko
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.
For more information about the 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award, visit insightintoacademia.com.
Photos: Montgomery County Community College received the 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award by "Insight into Academia" magazine for its strong commitment to mental health and well-being for all students and employees. In 2022, MCCC opened its Wellness Center at the Pottstown Campus, which includes a counseling room, food pantry, sensory room, cafe area and collaboration room for peer support. Photos by David DeBalko
About ‘Insight Into Academia’
“Insight Into Academia” magazine is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education today. Insight is the leader in recognizing inclusive excellence in higher education through its many prestigious awards, and in advancing best practices in inclusive excellence and belonging through their website and print magazine.
At Insight’s online Career Center, readers will also discover career opportunities that connect job seekers with institutions and businesses that embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce. Current, archived, and digital issues of Insight Into Academia magazine are available online at insightintoacademia.com.
About Montgomery County Community College
For more than 60 years, Montgomery County Community College has been transforming lives and communities to meet the evolving educational needs of Montgomery County. The College’s comprehensive curriculum includes more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as customized workforce training and certifications. Students enjoy the flexibility of learning at the College’s thriving campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown and online.
As a recipient of the Achieving the Dream Leah Meyer Austin Alumni Award, MCCC is nationally recognized for its efforts to remove barriers to access, improve learning outcomes, and increase completion for all students. The College also is honored nationally for its commitment to mental health and well-being, its designation as a Military Friendly Top 10 School for student veterans and spouses, and its strong focus on student civic engagement. For nine years, MCCC has been named one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges in the nation by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development for its commitment to diversity through inclusive learning and work environments, student and staff recruitment and retention practices, and meaningful community service and engagement opportunities. For more information, visit https://www.mc3.edu.
