University receives national Excellence in Mental Health & Well-Being Award from Insight Into Academia magazine
PUEBLO, Colo. — CSU Pueblo has been selected to receive the 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award from Insight Into Academia magazine, recognizing the university’s comprehensive approach to supporting the emotional wellness of its campus community.
CSU Pueblo will be featured alongside 70 other recipient institutions in the September 2025 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education according to the publication’s website.
The Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award honors higher education institutions that foster a culture of mental health wellness and belonging through support programs for students, faculty and staff. The award measures a university’s individual programs and initiatives that advance the core values of inclusivity and belonging.
“We’ve learned that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to mental health support and overall well-being,” explained Candace Brandenburg, Director of Counseling Center. “We’ve developed multiple entry points for students to services. Some students thrive in traditional counseling while others in peer support settings. Providing options helps meet students where they are and removes barriers to access.”
The university’s comprehensive mental health framework centers around the Student Counseling Center and the Pack Center. There students can access counseling services, crisis response, academic and peer support groups. Students have access to both individual and group counseling, along with specialized programming that addresses the needs of the campus community.
“We’re seeing more students arrive on campus already comfortable talking about mental health, which is encouraging,” said Lucie Menjivar, Dean of Students. “We also know college brings unique stressors especially for first-generation students. Our role is to normalize help-seeking behavior and make sure students know they’re not alone in this.”
The school through various programs like the Military and Veterans Success Center also provide training programs for faculty and staff, equipping them with tools to recognize signs of distress and connect students with appropriate resources. This campus-wide approach ensures that support extends beyond the counseling center into classrooms, residence halls, and student organizations.
“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.”
