Florida Southern College is proud to announce the formation of the Healthy Campus
Coalition (HCC), a multidisciplinary leadership group dedicated to advancing a healthier,
more equitable, and thriving campus community through evidence-based strategies and
cross-campus collaboration.
Grounded in the American College Health Association’s Healthy Campus Framework, the
Healthy Campus Coalition (HCC) brings together college leadership, faculty, staff,
and students to align health and well-being initiatives with institutional priorities
and national best practices. Through strategic planning and collaborative action,
the HCC guides the assessment, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies
that support the success and well-being of the Florida Southern community. The Coalition
has established measurable goals related to student well-being, communication and
awareness, program development, institutional policy, retention, partnerships, and
sustainability, with progress tracked through a Healthy Campus Outcomes Dashboard
and regularly reviewed to inform future initiatives.
“Student health and well-being is a shared responsibility across our campus. It is
everyone's job. Every department plays a vital role in shaping the student experience,
and we are continually asking ourselves: How are we centering well-being in our work?”
said David Aranda, Executive Director of Health Services and HCC Team Leader. “The
Healthy Campus Coalition's purpose is to sustain this campus-wide commitment and ensure
that well-being remains at the heart of the FSC Experience.”
The Coalition will utilize tools including the Healthy Campus Inventory to assess
campus strengths and opportunities, identify priorities, and measure progress. Its
work will focus on strengthening campus health infrastructure, expanding programs
that support physical, mental, and social well-being, fostering a culture of wellness,
and promoting continuous improvement across the institution.
"At Florida Southern College, we believe that student well-being is foundational to
student success. The ACHA Healthy Campus Designation affirms our intentional efforts
to create a campus environment that supports the physical, emotional, social, and
academic well-being of every student. I am incredibly proud of the efforts of the
Healthy Campus Coalition, led by David Aranda, whose dedication, innovation, and collaboration
made this achievement possible," said Dr. Lauren Albaum, Vice President of Student
Affairs.
The Healthy Campus Coalition was established through a collaborative partnership between
David Aranda, Dr. Melanie Michael, Associate Professor of Nursing and Senior Director
of Graduate Nursing Programs and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program within
the College of Nursing. The initiative was further strengthened by the efforts of
DNP students Heaven Turner and Allison Guthrie, whose dedication played an important
role in its development and implementation.
The full list of Coalition team members include:
David Aranda - Executive Director of Health Services, HCC Team Leader
Dr. Shameka Shelby - Deputy Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President for Inclusive
Excellence
Dr. John A. Leighty - Endowed Chair in Chemistry, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Melanie Michael - Associate Professor of Nursing, Senior Director - Graduate Nursing
Programs
Eric Rauch - Director of Safety and Security
Janet Allen - Associate Director of Counseling Services
Jill Stephens - Assistant Athletic Director, Senior Women Administrator
Melissa Casavant – Assistant Director of Health Promotion
Dr. Amanda Blount - Assistant Dean of Student Support
Romel Boiser - Assistant Dean of Community Living
Dr. Sara Terrell - Associate Professor of Exercise Science, Exercise Science Program
Director
Wyatt Robinson - Associate Chaplain
Stacey Mercadante - Nurse Practitioner, Student Health Center
Ryan Walsh - Associate Dean of Student Engagement
Alicia Rossow - Director of Wellness
Dr. Jennifer Leigh Moffitt - Associate Professor of English
Dr. Martha Placeres - Department Chair, Wilhelmina McDonald Endowed Chair in Music,
Director of Orchestra and String Studies
Peer Health Advocates (Student Workers) – Office of Health Promotion
By integrating health and well-being into the fabric of campus life, Florida Southern
is taking an important step toward creating a resilient, inclusive, and supportive
environment where every member of the community can thrive.
