Healthy Campus Coalition Launches at Florida Southern to Advance Student and Community Well-Being

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.