Galveston College was recognized by the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute’s Minding
College Minds initiative with The Architect Award, honoring institutions that have
intentionally designed and implemented a sustainable framework to support student
mental health, well-being and success.
The award recognizes colleges and universities that have built cohesive systems ensuring
students can access support services regardless of where they enter the institution.
GC earned the distinction for its thoughtful planning, strong foundation-building
efforts and development of an actionable framework designed to support students for
years to come.
The recognition follows nine months of participation in the Minding College Minds
learning community, where GC collaborated with peer institutions across Texas to strengthen
campus mental health strategies and student support systems.
“Receiving The Architect Award affirms Galveston College’s commitment to creating
a culture of care where every student has access to the resources and support needed
to thrive academically and personally,” said Denysse Guzman, GC student success advisor
and mental health coordinator. “This recognition reflects the dedication of faculty,
staff and administrators who worked together to build a coordinated framework that
promotes student well-being, belonging and success.”
The Minding College Minds initiative recognized Galveston College for thoughtfully
building the infrastructure needed to support student mental health and student achievement.
The college’s approach emphasizes collaboration among academic and student support
areas to help students navigate challenges, remain engaged in their educational journey
and persist toward completion.
GC Faculty Coordinator for Psychology and Sociology Kavica Williams, Ph.D., said the
award highlights the value of cross-campus partnerships in supporting students holistically.
“Student success extends beyond the classroom,” said Williams. “By bringing together
faculty, student services professionals and campus leadership, we have strengthened
our ability to identify student needs, connect them with resources and foster an environment
where they feel supported and empowered to achieve their goals.”
GC’s efforts included assessing existing support systems, identifying opportunities
for improvement and developing sustainable processes that connect students with services
that promote mental health, academic momentum and overall well-being.
The initiative aligns with the college’s student-centered mission and ongoing commitment
to removing barriers to success while creating pathways that encourage persistence,
engagement and completion.
“This recognition reflects Galveston College's commitment to creating a culture of
care that supports student mental health, belonging and success,” said GC Vice President
for Student Affairs, Ron Crumedy. “This acknowledgment from the Meadows Mental Health
Policy Institute affirms the collaborative work taking place across our campus to
build sustainable systems that help students persist, succeed and complete their educational
goals.”
The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute launched the Minding College Minds initiative
to support colleges in their efforts to serve their campuses effectively by identifying
and implementing programs that meet the unique needs of their campus community. Using
the Minding College Minds framework, the Meadows Institute guides colleges nationwide
in the development of mental health systems that are comprehensive, implementation-focused
and tailored to their communities.
About Galveston College
Galveston College was founded in 1967 and is a comprehensive community college providing the residents of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with academic, workforce development, continuing education and community service programs.